Monday, october 10, 2016 binder1

Page 1

Investors shun Nigeria’s $700m refineries’ upgrade Adeola Yusuf

T

he hunt instituted by the Federal Government for $700 million investments to upgrade the 445,000 barrels

per day capacity refineries in Nigeria has hit the rocks, New Telegraph has learnt. Sources confirmed that global investors who had

repeatedly turned down advances by government to get them involved in the finance of the refineries’ upgrade have now embar-

goed investments in the installations. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, had earlier

said that the Federal Government would seek investors to fund the $700 million upgrade of the refineries located in Port Harcourt,

Concession: Uncertainty trails China’s $500m airports' project }25

Warri and Kaduna, to produce at maximum capacities. Kachikwu said: “We are not inviting foreign partners to take over the refinCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Monday, October 10, 2016

Mark, Anyim, Gulak make PDP reconciliation committee }4

/newtelegraph /newtelegraph

Vol. 3 No. 964

Mark

Robbers die fleeing with stolen car }8

The damaged vehicle

Olojo Festival: Ooni goes into seclusion for 7 days }9

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com @newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

Ogunwusi

Suspects hide crushed human heads inside bread }9

N150

The crushed heads

Clampdown on judges:

DSS goes after SANs, retired judges }2, 4 & 6

Rivers Police Commissioner faces dismissal

Wike: DSS lied on $2m found in judge’s house Eight more judges in trouble NJC holds emergency meeting today Presidency: Judiciary not on trial APC, PDP differ on arrest of judges Judiciary workers summon emergency NEC

Group Managing Director, UBA Plc., Kennedy Uzoka (left) and Vice President, European Investment Bank (EIB), Ambrose Fayolle, during the signing of a €60 million facility from EIB in Washington DC...at the weekend.

Recruitment: Police Commission under pressure to bend rule }4

‘Nigeria records 100,000 new cancer cases annually'

}38


2

NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

DSS goes after SANs, retired judges, politicians Tunde Oyesina Abuja

U

ndaunted by criticism trailing its clampdown on corrupt judges, the Department of State Services (DSS) has concluded plans to swoop on more judges and some identified Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) who allegedly aided and abetted corruption on the Bench, New Telegraph has learnt. Also, DSS, according to an impeccable source, would go after some retired judges who allegedly worked in tandem with the judges arrested at the weekend over allegations of bribery and corruption.

Some of the judges recently sacked or retired by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for gross misconduct will also have their date in court. The identified Senior Advocates and the retired judges, according to the source, were the channels through which judges were being compromised. “The secret service would go after senior lawyers, retired judges and politicians who were believed to be links between judges and parties,” the source said. According to the source, “The service knows that some people have been serving as courier of the bribe for the judges. But their days are numbered. The service has gotten

their details and there is enough evidence against them. They shall be arrested and brought to book. “We know that some retired judges are now serving as consultants to sitting judges. They meet with parties who are having cases before a judge and they negotiate. These retired judges also serve as courier of the bribe. The service is also aware that some of the senior lawyers which their list has been compiled already also serve as middlemen between parties and the judges. Also politicians are involved. None of them will go unpunished.” Seven judges, including two Justices of the Supreme Court were arrested on Saturday by the

DSS following their alleged involvement in corrupt practices. Two Supreme Court Justices and two Federal High Court judges were alleged to have obtained bribe to perfect the course of justice. Besides the seven judges that were arrested at the weekend, the DSS is presently investigating about eight more judges over alleged corruption. The secret service has tightened the noose around the judges and may pick them any moment from now. The eight judges are asides the seven that are presently in the custody of the DSS. The identities of the judges to be picked up are

L-R: Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christie Lagarde and Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, during the minister and governor's visit to the IMF headquarters in Washington DC... yesterday.

still unknown as at the time of filing this report. However, New Telegraph learnt that another of Justice of the Supreme Court is involved, and two judges from the Federal High Court. The service had been investigating the judges for some time now and had gotten enough evidence to go after them. The seven judges arrested and currently in detention at the DSS office are Justices Inyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court; Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja; Kabir Auta of the Kano High Court; Muazu Pindiga of the Gombe High Court, Mohammed Tsamiya of the Court of Appeal in Ilorin, and the Chief Judge of Enugu State, I. A. Umezulike. Justices Umezulike, Auta, and Tsamiya had earlier been recommended for sack by the NJC for alleged corrupt activities. The residence of Justice Mohammed Liman was raided. It was also discovered that apart from the judges, at least three members of the registry staff of relevant courts have also been invited for questioning by the DSS and have made relevant statements. Justices Okoro and Ngwuta were arrested over an alleged bribery by a governor. A huge sum of money was recovered in both Jus-

tices Ngwuta and Okoro’s residents as documents of estates were recovered. At the residence of Justice Ademola, the DSS said it recovered at least $171,779 and N54 million in cash, in addition to documents of landed property belonging to the judge. In the course of the raid, the DSS said it recovered N35 million, $319,475 from Justice Ngwuta while N4.3 million and $38,833 were recovered from Justice Okoro. While justifying the judges’ arrest, DSS said it monitored “the expensive and luxurious lifestyle of some of the judges as well as complaints from the concerned public over judgement obtained fraudulently and on the basis amounts of money paid,” adding that the judges involved were invited, upon which due diligence was exhibited and their premises searched. It was learnt that the arrested judges would be arraigned today following a withholding charge already filed against them, a credible source hinted New Telegraph. This newspaper athered that DSS, before it carried out the arrest of the judges, had placed a web on all the calls between some of the embattled judges and the senior lawyers who had acted as a conduit to facilitate hundreds of millions bribe for the arrested judges. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Abuja

Rivers Police Commissioner faces dismissal

or allegedly obstructing the arrest of a serving judge in the early hours of Saturday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the Federal Government will, any moment from now, dismiss the stats Police Commissioner, Mr. Francis Odesanya, New Telegraph has learnt. The Presidency was piqued by the report of the Department of State Services (DSS), which accused the police of foiling the arrest of an unnamed judge in Port Harcourt. DSS operatives could not effect the arrest of the judge in series of operations they carried out on Friday and Saturday in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Kano and Gombe. It was alleged that Odesanya collaborated with the Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike, and others to thwart the arrest of the judge, who the DSS alleged had about $2 million in his house. Wike had denied the allegation.

Multiple sources confirmed to New Telegraph last night that the presidency was working on the dismissal of Odesanya for “obstructing” the arrest of the judge. One of the sources said that the presidency will today direct the Police Service Commission (PSC) to effect the dismissal of the Police Commissioner. A source said last night: “The Police commissioner is to be sacked for obstructing the arrest. We cannot continue to have people who are not loyal to the system like him. His case will be taken to the PSC for determination.” The source added that Odesanya would not only be dismissed, the Federal Government is set to prosecute him for the obstruction. Odesanya had, while the incident lasted, insisted that he was at the scene of the event to make peace. He repeatedly said that he was there to make peace.

Onwuka Nzeshi and Anule Emmanuel

F

lJudiciary not under attack, presidency insists But the DSS viewed his action as an obstruction. In a statement by the DSS on Saturday, the agency had accused Wike and a sister agency of obstructing the planned arrest. A statement by one Abubakar Garba for the DSS read in part: “In one of the states where the Service’s operations were conducted, credible intelligence revealed that the judge had $2 million stashed in his house. When he was approached for due search to be conducted, he, in concert with the state governor, mobilised thugs against the Service team. The team restrained itself in the face of unbridled provocative activities by those brought in by the governor. “Unfortunately, the judge and the governor also engaged the tacit support of a sister security agency. The Service’s surveillance team noticed that upon frustrating the operation, the judge, with the active support of the

governor, craftily moved the money to an unknown location, which the Service is currently making effort to unravel.” A source in the Presidency informed New Telegraph that the DSS has forwarded the report of the operations, which indicted the police commissioner, to President Muhammadu Buhari. Meanwhile, the Presidency yesterday said that weekend’s raid of residences of judges in parts of the country by the DSS was the anti-corruption war in action and not an attack on the judiciary. DSS, in a nationwide crackdown on Friday night, began arresting judges suspected to have collected huge cash to pervert the cause of justice before, during and after the 2015 general elections, as well as in other cases. A statement yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, said in en-

forcing the war against corruption cutting across all sections of the economy, President Buhari reserves his highest respect for the institution of the judiciary as the third arm of government. Garba explained that the president will not do anything to undermine its independence. “President Buhari remains a committed democrat, in words and in his actions, and will not take any action in violation of the constitution. “The recent surgical operation against some judicial officers is specifically targeted at corruption and not at the judiciary as an institution,” he stressed. Garba continued that “in robust democracy such as ours, there is bound to be a plurality of opinions on any given issue, but there is a convergence of views that the country has a corruption problem that needs to be corrected.” He lamented that reports by a section of the media was giving government cause for concern

on the raid of the jugdes’ residences. “In undertaking the task of reporting, the media should be careful about the fault lines they open. It is wrong to present this incident as a confrontation between the executive and judicial arms of government. “The Presidency has received assurances from the DSS that all due processes of the law, including the possession of search and arrest warrants, were obtained before the searches. “To suggest that government is acting outside the law in a dictatorial manner is to breach the interest of the state,” Garba added.

$7m

The total pay from endorsements of Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Soccer) for 2016. Source: Forbes.com

22.65%

The percentage contribution of the Industries sector to real GDP of Nigeria in Q2 2016. Source: National Bureau of Statistics


MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

3


4

NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Recruitment: Police Commission under pressure to bend rule Emmanuel Onani Abuja

T

he Police Service Commission (PSC) is said to be under intense pressure to jettison the Federal Character principle in the ongoing recruitment of 10,000 police officers and men. New Telegraph gathered from highly placed sources that some members of the House of Representatives are mounting pressure on the Commission, to carry out the exercise on "local government by local government basis." One of the sources, who spoke in confidence with New Telegraph, said the Commission has decided to stick to relevant provisions of the Constitution

and the federal character principle, which provides that appointments and recruitment of any nature in the country, shall be equitably distributed; on state-bystate basis. Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides that: "The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its

agencies." New Telegraph learnt that the Commission's position was informed by the aforementioned provisions, and other extant laws. It was gathered that owing to pressure, the PSC Chairman, Sir Mike Okiro, and his Commissioners have since relocated to one of the North-West states, to conclude the recruitment exercise. According to the source, Okiro and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Abu Ibrahim, will meet President Muhammadu Buhari this week. The essence of the meeting, according to the source, is to feel the pulse of the President on the matter. "Some House of Representatives’ members are

insisting that the recruitment should be on local government basis, but the Commission insists on following the federal character principle. "In fact, the Commission is now meeting outside Abuja, to avoid pressure, as it concludes work on the exercise. "Until there is a counter

Onyekachi Eze and Philip Nyam Abuja

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that Nigeria is gradually sliding into a fascist government with the gestapo-like invasion on the homes of some jus-

Investors shun Nigeria’s $700m refineries’ upgrade eries; the total investment for that is up to $700 million and we don’t have that. Let us be honest about it. “The investors are coming to provide funds to take our performance on these refineries to 90 per cent and to provide us with technical skills. So, the areas of intervention will be funding and technical support.” Five months after Kachikwu announced the refineries upgrade plans, no investor has embraced it and no one is likely to be drawn to a negotiation table soon, a senior civil servant at the ministry of petroleum resources told this newspaper after his anonymity was guaranteed. The minister, he said, had used many fora, local and international, to seek investors for the $700 million upgrade, but investors might have technically marked Nigeria’s refinery investments as a no-go area due to uncertainty in policy and business model for the installations. The source said: “Renowned global audit firm, PwC, and Resource Governance Institute, have

shown the Federal Government in their reports as a bad manager and wasteful partner to work with in terms of investments in its refineries. What is shocking is that most of these deep-pocketed investors keep asking us to clear the air on the damning revelations in those reports. “Generally, we have not been able to get anyone and it will be very difficult to get anyone. Not at this period when investors are more choosy in where to put their fortunes.” Recently, executive summary of Resource Governance Institute’s latest report had noted: “Despite NNPC’s debilitating consumption of public revenues and performance failures, successive governments have done little to reform the company. We find that management of NNPC’s oil sales has worsened in recent years – and particularly since 2010. The largest problems stem from the rising number of ad hoc, makeshift practices the corporation has introduced to work around its deeper structural problems “Similarly, it began uni-

laterally spending billions of dollars in crude oil revenues each year, rather than transferring them to the treasury, because NNPC’s actual budget process fails to cover operating expenses. “Some of these makeshift practices began with credible goals. But over time, their operation became overly discretionary and complex, as political and patronage agendas surpassed the importance of maximising returns.” Aside from this, for instance, checks by this newspaper showed that crude supply to the refineries through marine vessels cost NNPC revenue loss of about $8.03 billion in 2014. A contract agreement seen by New Telegraph at the weekend showed that MC Cosmic and MC Jewel, two of the marine vessels for the contract, “would collect between $12 million and $15 million per daily transfer of about one million metric tonnes crude to Warri refinery. “These heavy vessels would later need to load crude and transfer to smaller vessels. The cost of

though initial feelers had suggested that the president stood by the law. "This is very important, because recruitment exercise is a very sensitive matter." Buhari had, last year, directed the PSC to recruit 10,000 policemen, to boost the manpower needs of the Nigeria Police.

PDP tackles Buhari over judges’ arrest

President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote (left) with President François Hollande of France, after a meeting in Champs-Élysées, France…at the weekend

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

order or directive from the Presidency, the Commission will stick to the stateby-state arrangement, which complies with relevant laws," he said. On the planned visit to the president, the source noted: "The essence of the visit, is to bring the issue before Mr. President, to know his position, even

the smaller vessels ranges from $6 to $7 million per day, while the smaller vessels are also expected to later move the crude to terminals where trucks would have to load to the refineries at another operational cost.” These add up to over $12 million daily and $8.03 billion in one year. The latest marine supply contracts, which have, according to checks, raised the losses in refineries to over N1.27 billion, was consummated first with NIDAS Marine Limited last September following the cancellation of crude oil delivery contract with Ocean Marine Transport (OMT). The new deals were retendered and awarded on a stop-and-go basis – meaning that it ceases to exist when the pipelines begin to work. The NNPC said it resorted to the delivery of crude oil to the refineries by marine vessels following incessant attacks on the Bonny-Port Harcourt refinery pipeline and the Escravos crude pipelines by oil thieves.

tices of the Supreme Court and judges of the Federal High Court by the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the early hours of Saturday. PDP, in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said the invasion was the latest in a series of actions taken by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in its disregard for the rule of law and the principle of separation of powers. “This inexorable slide into fascism began with the invasion of the Akwa Ibom State Government House by the same DSS, the continued detention of several people despite court ordering their release, the invasion of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and detention of Hon. Akanni Afolabi and the invasion of the Zamfara State House of Assembly. “This slide into fascism has included a sustained attack on the leadership of the National Assembly as President Buhari has sought to break its independence and make it a rubber

stamp to suit his will,” PDP observed. The party noted that never in the history of Nigeria has a president attacked the judiciary in such a manner like what the present administration is doing. “Even the late dictator, General Sani Abacha, whose regime is remembered by many as the second worst regime in Nigerian history, did not carry out such Gestapo-style attacks on members of the judiciary. “By bringing this attack to the judiciary, President Buhari has shown that he has no desire to respect the pillars of our democracy. He has shown his desire to kill off our democracy and convert it to an autocracy without checks and balances. "Nigerians can no longer afford to stand aside and watch the Buhari administration destroy the foundations of our democracy that we have built for several years. Nigerians have a duty to speak out against this sort of tyranny,” the statement added.

Mark, Anyim, Gulak make PDP reconciliation committee Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

F

ormer Presidents of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim, and David Mark may form part of eminent Nigerians to be put together by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reconcile members of the party. The 24-man committee, which was agreed on by the two factions in the seemingly intractable crisis in the party, will be inaugurated on Wednesday. The two factions are expected to nominate 12 members each. An impeccable source told New Telegraph that Anyim and Mark would be among the 12 members to be appointed by the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee. Other members include all members of the caretaker committee. Members of caretaker committee are Senators

Ben Obi, Abdul Ningi and Odion Ugbesia as well as the committee’s legal adviser and woman leader. On the side of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff may include all members of his interim National Working Committee (NWC) as well as Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, ex-Political Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan. Those appointed as interim NWC by Sheriff are Prof. Wale Oladipo, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Alhaji Adewale Adeyanju and Dr. Bernard Dikko, among others. The source said Makarfi and Sheriff will not be members of the committee. The committee was earlier scheduled to be inaugurated today, but because of the absence of Sheriff who is said to be out of the country. PDP has been factionalised since May this year, leading to the seal off of the party’s National Secretariat since June.


5

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK

RETURNS ON UTILIZATION OF FUNDS SOLD TO CUSTOMERS FOR WEEK ENDED FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 07, 2016 SN CUSTOMER

ITEMOFIMPORT

DATEOFFUND PURCHASE

EXCHANGE RATE

AMOUNT

SN CUSTOMER

DATE OF FUND EXCHANGE PURCHASE RATE

ITEM OF IMPORT

AMOUNT

1

KAMINDUSTRIESNIGERIALIMITED

INDUSTRIALRAWMATERIALS

4-Oct-16

306.00

60,000.00

88

FLOURMILLSNIGPLC

IndustrialPowerGenera ngEquipment

7-Oct-16

315.50

925,396.21

2

MUZYBUREAUDECHANGELIMITED

BDC

4-Oct-16

345.50

10,765.00

89

GTANDIMPORTNIGERIALIMITED

PowderedNaturalStea teTalcumpowder

7-Oct-16

315.50

21,480.00

3

SUSANBUREAUDECHANGELIMITED

BDC

4-Oct-16

345.50

10,000.00

90

GLABUNDNIGERIALIMITED

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

2,000.00

4

ADIGUNOLUWAKAYODE

TRAINING

5-Oct-16

315.50

1,641.39

91

ILORIJAMESOLANREWAJU

MORTGAGE

7-Oct-16

310.50

1,386.80

5

AZAMABUREAUDECHANGELIMTED

BDC

5-Oct-16

345.50

10,000.00

92

INDORAMAPETNIGERIALIMITED

RAWMATERIALS

7-Oct-16

310.50

7,500.00

6

BUKOLASMITH

MORTGAGE

5-Oct-16

315.50

1,636.13

93

JAYJIBSVENTURESLTD

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

3,000.00

7

CENTREVALEBUREAUDECHANGELIMITED

BDC

5-Oct-16

345.50

10,000.00

94

JEZCOOILNIGLTDDEPOTACCOUNT

OILADDITIVES

7-Oct-16

315.50

10,000.00

8

DEMHABUREAUDECHANGELIMITED

BDC

5-Oct-16

345.50

10,000.00

95

JOBIKANNIGERIALIMITED

POLYPROPYLENERESIN

7-Oct-16

315.50

25,000.00

9

FASINROMORONFOLUOLASENI

MORTGAGE

5-Oct-16

315.50

3,299.77

96

KLYSATGENERALENTERPRISES

REFINEDCOPPERCOILSRAWMATERIAL

7-Oct-16

310.50

14,819.00

10

FUSIONBUREAUDECHANGE

BDC

5-Oct-16

345.50

11

KALEGANESH

PHR

5-Oct-16

306.00

6,050.00

98

MUKLARLIMITED

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

1,049.80

12

KENZUBDCLTD

BDC

5-Oct-16

345.50

10,000.00

99

MULTIPROCONSUMERPRODUCTSLTD-S&DDIVISION

CoolCowFFMP6GMS

7-Oct-16

200.00

12,500.00

13

LAKHANIDHARMESHBIPINCHANDRA

PHR

5-Oct-16

306.00

5,393.00

100

MULTIPROCONSUMERPRODUCTSLTD-S&DDIVISION

CoolCowFFMP6GMS

7-Oct-16

317.00

54,247.00

14

ABIODUNOMOTAYOEMMANUEL/PTA

BTA/PTA

5-Oct-16

315.50

3,979.40

101

NAFSSGNIGLTD

PVCGRANULE(NATURAL)

7-Oct-16

310.50

25,125.00

15

OMUEDERIAYEJOHNEGWOLOGH

MEDICALBILL

5-Oct-16

315.50

10,000.00

97

MARYQUEENINTERNATIONALLIMITED

DIAPIER

7-Oct-16

310.50

10,000.00

10,350.00

102

NBAKPONEBARIGBOMONDOROTHY

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

2,290.75

16

PALDOSBUREAUDECHANGELIMITED

BDC

5-Oct-16

345.50

10,000.00

103

NGAMASULIMITED

ANIMALFEEDMOLLUSC

7-Oct-16

311.50

10,000.00

17

SUMMERICETRADEBUREAUDECHANGELTD

BDC

5-Oct-16

345.50

10,000.00

18

TIMULIBUREAUDECHANGELTD

BDC

5-Oct-16

345.50

10,000.00

19

ZINTOBUREAUDECHANGELTD

BDC

5-Oct-16

345.50

765.00

20

ZINTOBUREAUDECHANGELTD

BDC

5-Oct-16

345.50

10,000.00

21

ADELEYEMOJISOLAMOBOLAJI/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

4,000.00

22

ADELEYEADELAJAADEMUYIWA/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

4,000.00

23

ADELEYEADELAJAADEMUYIWA/MASTERCARD

MASTERCARDPAYMENT

6-Oct-16

315.50

5,000.00

24

SHITTUADEOLAMORIAM/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

4,000.00

25

ODUBOGUNOLUSEGUN/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

4,000.00

26

AFFORDABLECARSLIMITED

SCHOOLFEES

6-Oct-16

315.50

20,341.01

27

AMPLIFIEDBDCLTD

BDC

6-Oct-16

345.50

10,000.00

28

ARISINGBUREAUDECHANGE

BDC

6-Oct-16

345.50

10,000.00

29

ARROWHEADAUTOMOBILES

SCHOOLFEES

6-Oct-16

315.50

10,000.00

30

CHUKWUDICHRISTOPHEREZEUDE/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

2,500.00

31

ARIALVIEWNIGLTD/BTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

3,000.00

32

DEMHABUREAUDECHANGELIMITED

BDC

6-Oct-16

345.50

10,000.00

33

OLUWAKAYODEADIGUN/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

4,000.00

34

OKAFORIFY/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

3,000.00

35

AKANMUOLUMIDE/PERDIEM

PERDIEM

6-Oct-16

315.50

4,300.00

36

LADIPUPOBALOGUN/MASTERCARD

MASTERCARDPAYMENT

6-Oct-16

315.50

5,000.00

37

LADIPUPOBALOGUN/MASTERCARD

MASTERCARDPAYMENT

6-Oct-16

315.50

10,000.00

38

ADARAMEWABOSEDE/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

4,000.00

39

ELIZABETHADIGUN/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

4,000.00

40

ADARAMEWAKAMORUDEEN/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

4,000.00

41

AKANMUOLUMIDE/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

3,917.59

42

FASOGBONOLAJUMOKE/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

3,917.59

43

MOBOLAJIOLUDAMILOLABALOGUN

SCHOOLFEES

6-Oct-16

315.50

26,705.23

44

MOBOLAJIOLUDAMILOLABALOGUN

SCHOOLFEES

6-Oct-16

315.50

19,800.95

45

MOBOLAJIOLUDAMILOLABALOGUN

SCHOOLFEES

6-Oct-16

315.50

11,268.30

46

ISANGAKANIMOEDET/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

2,000.00

47

NIGERIANBREWERIESPLC.

GEARBOX/MOTORSK4282AZ112M/4I=616

6-Oct-16

200.00

10,272.74

48

OBAJANAAGROSACKSLTD

SPAREPARTSFORTEXTILEMACHINES

6-Oct-16

311.00

17,046.75

49

OBAJANAAGROSACKSLTD

SPAREPARTSFORTEXTILEMACHINES

6-Oct-16

311.00

6,953.24

50

AHAMIOJEOMOTOLA/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

4,000.00

51

ALLIADEKUNLE/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

315.50

3,500.00

52

SAROAGROSCIENCESLIMITED

GLYPHOSATE(GOBARA)360G/LTR

6-Oct-16

313.00

21,549.65

53

GLOBISMOTORSLTD/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

324.00

1,500.00

54

AKONIOLUWADARA/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

324.00

1,000.00

55

OLUWATOSINADEGBENLEJOSEPH/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

324.00

1,300.00

56

GANGULYSOUMOBROTO/PTA

BTA/PTA

6-Oct-16

324.00

1,500.00

57

ACEADVISORYANDTECHNOLOGYLIMITED

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

315.50

2,000.00

58

ACEADVISORYANDTECHNOLOGYLIMITED

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

2,000.00

59

ADAMORENIGERIALIMITED

AGROVETERINARYADDITIVES

7-Oct-16

310.50

8,000.00

60

ADEKOYAOMOTOLAABIODUN

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

61

ADEMOLAADESINAOYEYINKA

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

3,500.00

62

ADESANYAADEBOWALE

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

12,000.00

63

ADEYOJUADENIRAN

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

1,672.36

64

AKINTUNDEADETAYO

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

4,000.00

65

ALHAJIABBAABUBAKAR

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

3,000.00

66

ALHAJISANIALI

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

1,500.00

67

ALHAJISANIALI

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

1,500.00

68

AMAOGEKUROSHI

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

2,000.00

69

ARROWHEADAUTOMOBILES

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

3,011.00

70

AWOFISAYOKEHINDEOLALEYE

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

4,500.00

71

AWOFISAYOKEHINDEOLALEYE

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

2,000.00

72

BIFONINTERNATIONALCOLTD

CHEMICALS

7-Oct-16

315.50

10,000.00

1,600.00

73

BLACKHORSEPLASTICINDUSTRYLIMITED

POLYPROPYLENEHOMOPOLYMER

7-Oct-16

315.50

74

BRIGHTPRODUCTLIMITED

RAWMATERIALS

7-Oct-16

311.50

7,500.00

75

BRILLIANTSHIPPINGSERVICESLIMITED

CHARTEREDFEE

7-Oct-16

315.50

132,778.60

15,000.00

76

BRILLIANTSHIPPINGSERVICESLIMITED

CHARTEREDFEE

7-Oct-16

315.50

540,000.00

77

BRILLIANTSHIPPINGSERVICESLIMITED

CHARTEREDFEE

7-Oct-16

315.50

26,221.40

78

BUTTLETUPPS

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

315.50

5,000.00

79

CHIZZYNIGERIALIMITED

RAWMATERIALSFORPAINT

7-Oct-16

315.50

1,232.14

80

CHIZZYNIGERIALIMITED

RAWMATERIALSFORPAINT

7-Oct-16

310.50

7,142.86

81

CHOKONWOBILORS.

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

2,290.75

82

CHOKONWOBILORS.

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

2,290.75

83

DONCHRISINDUSTRIESLIMITED

INDUSTRIALMACHINERY

7-Oct-16

315.50

15,000.00

84

DRUGFIELDPHARMACEUTICALSLIMITED

PHARMACEUTICALPACKAGINGMATERIALS

7-Oct-16

315.50

85

EUROCHEMCOVENTURESLIMITED

RAWMATERIALFORINDUSTRY

7-Oct-16

310.50

6,801.00

86

GOLDENSUGARCOMPANYLIMITED

BRAZILIANCANERAWSUGAR

7-Oct-16

315.50

1,086,000.00

1,625.00

87

GOLDENSUGARCOMPANYLIMITED

RawSugar

7-Oct-16

315.50

2,074,603.79

104

NJOTEABARBARAADAEZE

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

5,859.38

105

NWENEIGNAY

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

4,500.00

106

NWENEIGNAY

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

4,500.00

107

OGUNFUWAAFOLABIOLUBUKAYO

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

1,000.00

108

OLATEJUOLATUNJI

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

7,939.20

109

OLORUNNISOLAOMONIYIOLUWATOSIN

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

6,327.64

110

OSHODIOSHODIANDCO

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

315.50

5,000.00 2,000.00

111

OWONIYIMARIEIGE

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

112

PHILABIGCROPCARELIMITED

AGRICULTURALHERBICIDE

7-Oct-16

310.50

56.00

113

POWERBUILDENGINEERINGLTD

LaboratoryFi�ngsandAccessories

7-Oct-16

310.50

10,000.00

114

PREMIERSTANDARDINDUSTRIALLIMITED

CHEMICALS

7-Oct-16

315.50

20,000.00

115

PROCEPTASSOCIATESPROFESSIONALSERVICESLIMITED

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

2,995.28

116

RICHYGOLDINTERNATIONALLTD

PHARMACEUTICALRAWMATERIALS

7-Oct-16

315.50

15,000.00 20,000.00

117

SEAGLEINT'LLIMITED

NEWMACHINERYFORWELDING

7-Oct-16

315.50

118

SHANAUDIOVISUALLIMITED

RAWMATERIAL

7-Oct-16

311.50

950.00

119

SHANAUDIOVISUALLIMITED

RAWMATERIAL

7-Oct-16

310.50

4,092.22

310.50

5,199.00

121

SOHOMAVITAVENTURESLIMITED

NATIVECORNSTARCH

7-Oct-16

315.50

25,000.00

122

120

SYNOLOILANDGASLIMITED

SKYCHEMINDUSTRIESLIMITED

SCHOOLFEES

CHEMICALS

7-Oct-16

7-Oct-16

310.50

7,000.00 15,000.00

123

TEELADSCOGLOBALINKLTD

ChemicalRawmaterials-TolueneDiisocyanate

7-Oct-16

315.50

124

YAHAHAADAMUGORKI

SCHOOLFEES

7-Oct-16

310.50

2,800.00

125

KRSINVESTMENTLIMITED

PETResin-ForBo�le-Grade

7-Oct-16

315.00

226,730.00

126

KRSINVESTMENTLIMITED

Assortedindustrialmachineryandaccessories

7-Oct-16

315.00

197,470.00

127

KRSINVESTMENTLIMITED

Assortedindustrialmachineryandaccessories

7-Oct-16

315.00

445,800.00

RETURNS ON SOURCES OF FUNDS SOLD TO CUSTOMERS FOR WEEK ENEDED FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 07, 2016

SN SOURCE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

OTHERS OTHERS OTHERS OTHERS OTHERS OTHERS CCI OTHERS DEALREVERSAL CCI INTERBANK DEALREVERSAL DEALREVERSAL OTHERS OTHERS DEALREVERSAL CCI CCI OTHERS OTHERS EXPORTPROCEEDS OTHERS

DATE OF FUND PURCHASE

EXCHANGE RATE

AMOUNT

4-Oct-16 4-Oct-16 4-Oct-16 4-Oct-16 4-Oct-16 5-Oct-16 5-Oct-16 5-Oct-16 5-Oct-16 5-Oct-16 5-Oct-16 5-Oct-16 6-Oct-16 6-Oct-16 6-Oct-16 7-Oct-16 7-Oct-16 7-Oct-16 7-Oct-16 7-Oct-16 7-Oct-16 7-Oct-16

310.00 315.00 310.00 315.00 310.00 310.00 310.00 310.00 345.50 315.00 312.50 315.50 345.50 315.00 310.00 315.50 315.00 314.50 310.50 310.00 315.00 310.00

669.35 15,873.02 3,500.00 9,523.81 1,300.00 105.19 2,150.00 5,891.01 10,765.00 100,000.00 21,549.65 3,299.77 10,000.00 126,984.13 557.66 2,000.00 3,000,000.00 880,000.00 2,290.75 274.61 1,785,000.00 100.00


6

NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Wike: DSS lied on $2m found in judge’s house Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

R

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of deceiving the public by saying that it found $2 million in the house of the judge its operatives planned to whisk away about 1a.m. on Saturday in Port Harcourt. Wike said that DSS operatives were outside the residence of the judge when he arrived the scene and that they didn’t enter and, therefore, could not have found such amount. He said that the DSS lied to justify its unconstitutional assault on the nation’s judiciary, noting that no amount of deliberate misinformation and concocted lie can justify the action of the secret service, which he stressed lacks the constitutional powers to discipline a serving judicial official. The governor noted that it became imperative for him to explain what really happened because of the way the DSS and other agencies use the media to manipulate information.

The DSS had, in a statement on Saturday by Abdullahi Garba, alleged that Wike aided the judge to escape with the $2 million. “In one of the states where the Service’s operations were conducted, credible intelligence revealed that the judge had $2 million stashed in his house. When he was approached for due search to be conducted, he, in concert with the state

governor, mobilised thugs against the Service team. The team restrained itself in the face of unbridled provocative activities by those brought in by the governor. Unfortunately, the judge and the governor also engaged the tacit support of a sister security agency. “The Service’s surveillance team noticed that upon frustrating the operation, the judge, with

the active support of the governor, craftily moved the money to an unknown location, which the Service is currently making effort to unravel,” the DSS alleged in a statement after the raid of judges’ houses. But Wike said that the DSS’ statement was false, noting that he was with senior Rivers indigenes at the time of stopping the DSS from arresting the judge at

Former First Lady, Mrs. Maryam Abacha (right), presenting the 2016 Tozali Woman of the Year award to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Khadija Ibrahim, in Abuja …at the weekend

DSS goes after SANs, retired judges, politicians CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

This, in no small measure spurred DSS into action having had all conversation involving the judges, senior lawyers and some politicians at different times. Also, it was gathered that the Federal Government due to lack of confidence in the judiciary is working towards the establishment of a special court which will try the arrested judges and others that had been pencilled down for arrest. The Presidential Advisory Committee on Anticorruption headed by Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) is to facilitate the setting up of the committee. Meanwhile, the NJC had after the raid on judges has called for an emergency today where it is expected to discuss its next move. Though the meeting was earlier scheduled to hold on Thursday with a single agenda of discussing which name will be forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). The CJN, Justice Mohammed Mahmud will retire on November 10 when he will clock the mandatory retirement age of 70. A top source who spoke to New Telegraph in confidence said that the NJC is unhappy over the arrest of some judges.

“DSS did not follow the constitutional laid down rules. Constitutionally, it is the NJC that has the power to employ and discipline judges. If there is any allegation, it is expected that it should be taken to the NJC. It would be investigated, and recommendation will be made and later the recommendation will be sent to the police. “They said that they have search warrant and they are covered, that can only be true if the warrant was issued to them by a court of law. But if the warrant is not from court, they have just gone to invade. That means that they are doing the right thing, wrongly,” he stated. Speaking on the intention of the secret service to file charge against the arrested judges, the source said that constitutionally, it is the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) or police that has the power to file charge. “Their own is just to investigate and after hand over to the appropriate authority. It is that prosecuting agency that will now go to court to file charges against any of the judge. What the DSS is doing is illegal because the Act that sets it up does not empower it to go to court. They are just for security,”

he added. In the event the judges will eventually have to be arraigned in the court, another top source in the judiciary said the NJC will have to suspend the affected judges or recommend their compulsory retirement. “Now that the judges have been arrested with large sums of money recovered from them, the affected judges will have to be relieved of their duty in order to purge themselves of the alleged crime. I think, the DSS should instead of filing charges against them as it had said hand them over to constitutional recognised prosecuting agency,” the source stated. Another DSS source said the operation on the judges’ residence was ordered after months of investigations, during which the DSS established credibly that the affected judges were involved in questionable financial dealings. He added that the secret service had to swing into action after it submitted part of its findings to the NJC and it merely recommended two of the judges for retirement, and not prosecution. The source added that the council had refused to cooperate with the service as the agency launched wider investigations into the cases for more evidence.

Already, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting two members of the Bar, Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN) and Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) over corruption related cases. While Tarfa was arraigned before Justice A. A. Akintoye of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere on a 27-count charge, Nwobike was arraigned before Justice R.I.B Adebiyi of the Lagos State High Court on a fivecount charge of allegedly offering gratification and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Tarfa is accused of bribing a judge when he allegedly gave N1.5 million to Justice Nganjiwa Hyeladzira Ajiya of the Federal High Court while Nwobike is facing criminal prosecution for allegedly bribing Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa with N750,000.

an ungodly hour. Wike, who spoke during a special dinner for the management and players of Rivers United at the Government House, Port Harcourt, accused the DSS of embarking on campaign of blackmail to lessen the crime it committed against the judiciary. He said: “Their blackmail stories will not move me. They will concoct all kinds of stories to justify this undemocratic illegality perpetrated against the judiciary. “It is really unfortunate that the DSS would concoct a false defence that $2 million was found in the house of the judge. It is unfortunate that the DSS is coming up with flimsy excuses.” Wike said he does not condone corruption and will never support any process that is targeted at ruining the nation’s judiciary, pointing out that only the National Judicial Council (NJC) has the responsibility to discipline erring and corrupt judges. He added: “In the police, erring and corrupt policemen are first given orderly room trial, sacked and then appropriately prosecuted.

For judicial officers, the DSS has no role. “This impunity must stop. I am not in support of any judicial officer being involved in corruption. What we are saying is that the right things must be done. We must not do things that will jeopardise our hard earned democracy. “If they had abducted the judge, they may go ahead to kill the judge and they will say that Rivers State is insecure. “The way things are going, nobody should relax. Freedom comes with sacrifice. Independence comes with sacrifice. Liberty comes with sacrifice. “We must resist this injustice. Nobody can intimidate Rivers people. If you use to do that, not now. I am informing you before you will read whatever lies they will circulate in newspapers. “I was there with our state and National Assembly members, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Austin Opara, the PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah and some caretaker chairmen. When they said I was with thugs, I just laughed.”

PDP’s allegations on DSS raids baseless –APC While calling on the seFelix Nwaneri

T

he leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against dragging President Muhammadu Buhari into the raids on the homes of some judges by the Department of State Services (DSS). The ruling party, in a statement by its National Secretary, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, said it finds the actions of some PDP governors and the reckless unsubstantiated allegations levelled by the PDP on President Buhari as the architect of the raids curious and suspicious. The party maintained that the Buhari administration strictly respects the principle of the rule of law and also adheres to the constitutional provisions of separation of power between the three arms of government.

curity agencies to respect and be guided by the rule of law in carrying out its constitutional duties, APC insisted that the PDP does not have the luxury of dictating how the current administration carries out its legitimate duty of catching looters, as long as it conforms to the rule of law. “The APC suspects that the PDP and the Ekiti and Rivers states governors, Ayodele Fayose and Nyesom Wike, have something to hide. This is a red flag that security agencies must not ignore. “The repeated allegations that ongoing corruption investigations and trials are politically-motivated by the president and the APC are baseless. The APC urges Nigerians not to be distracted by the PDP and their agents plot to discredit the hugelysuccessful war against corruption."

JUSUN summons emergency NEC meeting Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

T

he Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has described the arrest of some judges accused of corruption by the Department of State Services (DSS) as uncivilised, calling for their unconditional release.

The union has also summoned an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for Tuesday, October 11, to deliberate on the next line of action. National President of JUSUN, Comrade Marwan Mustapha Adamu, in a statement, said though the union is in support of the anti-corruption war of the present administra-

tion, the rule of law must be respected. JUSUN lamented the gestapo-style of the DSS on the matter, stressing that the secret police should have forwarded the names of the corrupt officers to the National Judicial Council (NJC), which is the statutory body that can punish or dismiss any erring judicial officer.


MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

7


8

monDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Parents, school beg abductors

...Ambode promises speedy rescue

The school entrance

Taiwo Jimoh

P

arents and management of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe have appealed to kidnappers of the students and teachers of the school to reduce the ransom from N150 million each earlier

demanded to N6 million. The families of the four students, a teacher and junior school vice-principal, also begged the abductors to release the victims unhurt. Sources said the gunmen, who stormed the school about 8a.m. on Thursday, had reached out to the parents through a

Muritala Ayinla

T

hree suspected armed robbers died when their car skidded off the popular Eko Bridge on Lagos Island. Five men were in the car when it crashed. Three of them died instantly. The accident attracted thousands of people who stormed the scene to catch a glimpse of the crash. It was learnt that the suspected robbers were fleeing with the stolen car which they snatched at gunpoint when the driver lost control of the car. The vehicle skidded off the bridge and fell on a man, who also died instantly. One of the suspected robbers escaped while the other, who sustained serious injuries, was rushed to the hospital by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS). Their bodies were handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) and were subsequently taken to the

private line and demanded N150 million ransom. It was learnt the families of the victims and the school management contacted the kidnappers through the phone line they used to reach them, but later agreed to pay N6 million after the management convened an emergency meeting to discuss

the issue. One of the parents, who pleaded for anonymity, told our correspondent that he could not raise the amount demanded by the abductors. He said: “I have committed the case of my child into the able hands of God. It is only God who can help me. I cannot raise even the N6

million they reduced the ransom to. But like I said, my hope is in God.” Meanwhile, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday assured the parents that his government in collaboration with security agencies would soon rescue the victims. Ambode also promised that government would

Robbers die fleeing with stolen car mortuary. The vehicle was towed to Denton Police Station, Ebute-Metta. One of those died among the suspected robbers was identified as Nwamba. Items recovered from the vehicle included a locally-made doublebarrelled pistol with five live cartridges; a laptop; a handset and a dollar note. Also recovered was a pastor’s cloak believed to belong to the owner of the stolen vehicle. The General Manager, Lagos The damaged vehicle State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Adesina discovered a grey coloured HyunTiamiyu, said the agency received dai ix 35 with registration number a distress call regarding a lone ac- SMK 485 CM which skidded off the cident on Eko Bridge about 2:15p.m. Eko Bridge by Iddo Terminus and Tiamiyu said bodies of those fell on a man who died immediately. who died had been taken to the “Preliminary investigation mortuary. revealed that the vehicle was susHe said: “On arrival at the scene pected to have been snatched at of the incident, the Emergency Re- gunpoint with five suspected armed sponse Team (ERT) of the agency persons. Three of the suspected

armed robbers died immediately; one escaped with injuries while the fifth person was taken to the hospital for treatment by LASAMBUS.” Tiamiyu advised Lagos residents to always be security conscious at all times. He said that proper investigation would be carried out by the police on the incident.

also commence a review of its laws to curb and effectively punish perpetrators of such act. The governor, who spoke shortly after carrying out an extensive inspection of projects across the state, also issued a seven-day ultimatum for all illegal structures on the state waterfront to be demolished. Speaking with journalists at the Illubirin Housing Scheme in Lagos Island, Ambode, who was visibly worried about the erection of several shanties and structures on the premises and especially on the waterfront, said such would not be allowed anymore. According to him, kidnappers, suspected militants and criminally minded persons often seek refuge in such shanties close to the waterfront, from where they perpetrate their heinous crimes and then make use of the waterways to ferry their victims to another location, in most cases another state. He said: “I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to all those living in the shanties around these schemes especially on the waterfront illegally that they should vacate the areas forthwith. “The safety of our children and all Lagosians is paramount in this administration. We will not allow a few set of people who come into Lagos and stay on our waterfront illegally and then use it as opportunity to kidnap our people. I also want to assure our people that government is seriously on the issue of the children and the teachers that were kidnapped in the Igbonla Model College and very soon, we will get the victims back. “I believe that the era of kidnapping has come to an end. We are going to review our laws and I can tell you sincerely that we will deal with kidnappers squarely in Lagos from this moment onwards. We will review our laws and make sure that there is no room for kidnappers in this state.”


METRO

monDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Olojo Festival: Ooni in seclusion for seven days Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

oni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, yesterday relocated from his palace to Iledi, a seclusion place where he will spend seven days in preparation for this year’s Olojo Festival. The grand finale comes up next Sunday. The monarch’s media aide, Mr. Moses Olafare, said in a statement that Ogunwusi was celebrating his first Olojo as Ooni and as such, he was leaving no stone unturned to make the festival a memorable one. He said: “Ooni will, during the seclusion, pray for the country and her leadership at all levels. Ooni Ogunwusi will also spend time praying for Yoruba race and her people. He will also seek support of ancestors for peace and progress of Ile Ife and its people. His

Suspects hide crushed human heads inside bread Juliana Francis

O

A Ogunwusi

duty during the period basically is to pray.” Ooni, during the event which is being celebrated annually, would wear “Are Crown,” a special crown. It is designed to be worn once in a year by the royal father during the celebration. After wearing the crown, Ooni would take a symbolic walk from Ile Oodua, Ooni’s palace, to Oke Mogun.

24-year-old man, Jamiu Alabi, and a woman, Yemi John (32), have been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly being in possession of suspected crushed human heads. The crushed heads were placed inside loaves of bread like sardines. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, said yesterday that Alabi and John were arrested on October 8 at Church bus stop, Ipaja area for being in possession of suspected human parts. She said: “Jamiu Alabi and Yemi John were arrested on October 8 about 2000 hours at Church bus stop, Ipaja, with a loaf of bread which contains three crushed human heads tied separately. They were labelled as Danjumo N20,000, Yusuf N70,000 and Alh Mumuni N10,000. Suspects are detained while case is under investigation.” In another development, the command arrested two robbery

suspects identified as Segun Ariyo and Michael Adetona. The suspects were arrested on October 8 about 11p.m. Ariyo and Adetona were arrested after a complaint was lodged by Ifeoluwa Francis of No. 67, Bunmi Ajakaiye Street, Shibiri. Francis told the police that she was robbed on October 7 about 2200 hours on Shibiri-Imude Road. She said she was robbed by the suspects, later identified as The crushed heads 17-year-old Ariyo of No. 110 Seven bus stop, Imude and 16 Adetona (16) of No. 7 Igbehinadun Street, Shibiri. According to her, the suspects, who were armed with knives, attacked and dispossessed her of valuables. Badmus who confirmed the incident, said: “They forcefully dispossessed her of N20,000 cash, one Black Berry Z3 phone valued at N37,000, different types of recharged cards, which value is yet unknown. The suspects were arrested by detectives while trying to share their loot at their hide out and have been detained for further investigation.” John (left) and Alabi

Family hides teenage Muslim girl who sees mysterious cross

Those praying at the site of the cross

Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

A

teenage girl, Hajara Husseini, who reportedly first saw a cross a few metres away from the Assakio Central Mosque, Lafia

in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, has been ferried to Bauchi State. 15-year-old Hajara is from the family of the Chief Imam of Assakio. Several people were said to have received miracles at the site of the cross.

Hajara had said that she would start healing and performing other miracles at the site of the cross on Wednesday before her parents decided to take her away following concern expressed by some members of the family. Investigation showed that Hajara was taken to Bauchi where her biological father had gone to work before he got converted to Islam. It was learnt that Hajara had refused to eat, pleading with her parents to allow her return to Assakio to accomplish what she said God had directed her to do before the cross. She was taken away after she prayed with some white men who visited the site of the cross. Hajara has not been seen since then. Efforts to speak with the Chief Imam of Assakio Central Mosque were unsuccessful as he was said

City Brief O

to have gone out when our correspondent visited his residence at the weekend. A witness, Dauda Akush-

was part of their corporate social responsibility to the community where the school is situated. “We chose to be here because the market is a filthy place and this goes to show that we are conscious of our environment and its people. “As you can see, the marketers are very happy about the exercise. We were well received and have promised not make it a one-off thing.

“We hereby enjoin other corporate organisations in the state and the country at large to adopt the exercise. “We want people to come out and should not feel too big to identify with these people.” Meanwhile, the Secretary of Oja Oba Market, Alhaji Adeshina Jimoh, on behalf of the market executives and the marketers, thanked the school for carrying out the exercise.

onye, who spoke with journalists at the site of the cross, explained that Hajara was the first to sight the cross

about 7:35p.m. on September 28 in company with two girls. According to him, Hajara quickly reported the incident to her parents and drew the attention of others to the scene.

(This announcement appears as a matter of record only) ISSUING HOUSE:

FUND MANAGER:

VETIVA S&P NIGERIAN SOVEREIGN BOND EXCHANGE TRADED FUND: Offer for Subscription of 10,000,000 units of the Vetiva S&P Nigerian Sovereign Bond ETF (VS&P ETF) Announces the result of the Offer for Subscription of the VS&P ETF with respect to the Prospectus dated 15th July 2016. 1. A total of 22 applications for 5,099,000 units of the Vetiva S&P Nigerian Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund, were received in connection with the Offer. 2. All Applications were found to be valid and accepted and therefore processed. However, 19 applications were partially allotted as funds deposited did not adequately cover the units requested whilst 3 applications were allotted additional units as funds deposited covered more units pursuant to Section 8(8) of the Prospectus. Accordingly, the applicants are therefore being allotted units of the ETF as could be fully paidup out of their subscription. 5,070,359 units were, therefore, allotted for the Vetiva S&P Nigerian Sovereign Bond ETF. 3. Thus, the Vetiva S&P Nigerian Sovereign Bond ETF was 50.70% subscribed. Therefore, the basis of allotment of the Offer is as follows: VETIVA S&P NIGERIAN SOVEREIGN BOND EXCHANGE TRADED FUND Offer for Subscription of 10,000,000 units of Vetiva S&P Nigerian Sovereign Bond ETF Range

School cleans Lagos market ver 200 pupils of MD School on Saturday took part in the environmental clean-up exercise of the Oja-Oba market at Abule Egba, Lagos. The exercise, which was part of the activities lined up to mark the school’s 30th anniversary, began at 8a.m. with parents and teachers guiding the students. Executive Director of the school, Omolara Adedugbe, said the exercise

9

1

-

No. of Holders

Units Applied

Units Allotted

Units Alloted %

200,000

17

304,000

300,386

5.92%

200,001

500,000

2

900,000

894,382

17.64%

500,001

1,000,000

1

630,000

626,068

12.35%

1,000,001

-

2,000,000

2

3,265,000

3,249,523

64.09%

2,000,001

-

5,000,000

0

0

0

0.00%

0

0

0

0.00%

22

5,099,000

5,070,359

100.00%

5,000,001 and above Grand Total

The above stated basis of allotment, as well as this announcement, has been cleared by the Securities and Exchange Commission. A Statements of Unit-holding for Units applied and allotted will be sent by electronic mail to the email address provided on the Application Forms submitted, not later than 15 Business Days from the date of allotment. Also, the allotment of the Securities will be effected by way of e-allotment and consequently, the Registrar, First Registrars & Investors Services Limited will forward the relevant list of subscribers and their allotment to the Central Securities Clearing Systems Plc., to enable the credit of the Central Securities Clearing System (“CSCS”) accounts of the subscribers with the allotted units not later than 24th October, 2016.


10

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

RETURNS ON SOURCES OF FUND SOLD TO CUSTOMERS FOR THE WEEK ENDED FRIDAY 07-10-2016

S/NO.

SOURCE 1 GUARANTY TRUST BANK

DATE OF FUND PURCHASED 4-Oct-16

305.00

AMOUNT PURCHASED ($) 100,000.00

2 IMTSO

4-Oct-16

351.43

5,699.63

3 IMTSO

4-Oct-16

339.17

915.59

4 IMTSO

4-Oct-16

338.38

1,166.66

5 IMTSO

4-Oct-16

335.61

6 IMTSO

4-Oct-16

335.54

1,691.63 2,383.03

7 IMTSO

4-Oct-16

335.50

2,264.58

8 EXPORT PROCEEDS

5-Oct-16

312.00

208,831.20 21,549.65

9 EXPORT PROCEEDS

EXCHANGE RATE

5-Oct-16

312.00

10 ORDINARY DOMICILLIARY PURCHASED

5-Oct-16

308.00

968.00

11 IMTSO

5-Oct-16

336.24

4,129.28

12 EXPORT PROCEEDS

6-Oct-16

312.00

41,480.00

13 ACCESS BANK

6-Oct-16

315.00

26,225.02 100,000.00

14 JAIZ BANK

6-Oct-16

305.00

15 IMTSO

6-Oct-16

338.60

1,193.98

16 IMTSO

6-Oct-16

335.46

4,609.17

17 EXPORT PROCEEDS

7-Oct-16

312.00

47,392.50

18 GUARANTY TRUST BANK

7-Oct-16

314.50

100,000.00 208,831.20

19 UNITY BANK

7-Oct-16

313.00

20 IMTSO

7-Oct-16

351.75

1,997.74

21 IMTSO

7-Oct-16

335.67

2,689.56 884,018.42

TOTAL

RETURNS ON UTILIZATION OF FUND SOLD TO CUSTOMERS FOR THE WEEK ENDED FRIDAY, 07-10-2016 S/NO.

CUSTOMER/FXPD/NON-FXPD 1 RITE FOODS LTD

ITEM OF IMPORT HIGH DENSITY POLYTHYLENE REIN

DATE OF FUND PURCHASED

EXCHANGE RATE

AMOUNT SOLD ($)

4-Oct-16

305.50

40,000.00 13,258.76

2 SUNCHEM INDUSTRIES LTD

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL

4-Oct-16

305.50

3 ADEDUN ABIMBOLA

LIVING EXPENSES

4-Oct-16

305.50

2,200.00

MOGAS

4-Oct-16

305.50

30,000.00

5 STERLING BANK PLC

MTIP CERTIFICATION SUBSCRIPTION

4-Oct-16

305.50

3,200.00

6 ZICO DISTRBUTION COMPANY NIG LTD

PRINTING MACHINE CABLE

4-Oct-16

305.50

6,741.24

4 MAINLAND OIL AND GAS LTD

7 PAUL-TAIWO ADEOYE OLUKOYA

SCHOOL FEES

4-Oct-16

351.43

1,424.91

8 PAUL-TAIWO ADEOYE OLUKOYA

SCHOOL FEES

4-Oct-16

345.56

2,105.37

9 KUKOYI WOLESOLA MOTUNRAYO

SCHOOL FEES

4-Oct-16

305.50

2,586.54

4-Oct-16

305.50

2,013.46

11 CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

TUITION FEES IMTSO

4-Oct-16

351.43

4,274.72

12 CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

IMTSO

4-Oct-16

339.17

686.69

13 CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

IMTSO

4-Oct-16

338.38

875.00

14 CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

IMTSO

4-Oct-16

335.61

1,268.72

15 CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

IMTSO

4-Oct-16

335.54

1,787.27

16 CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

IMTSO

4-Oct-16

335.50

1,698.44

17 TOPAZ CLINIC LIMITED

5-Oct-16

345.85

1,032.32

18 CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

SCHOOL FEES IMTSO

5-Oct-16

336.24

19 FCMB

INTERBANK

5-Oct-16

312.50

10 DOSUMU ADE AKINFOSILE

3,096.96 21,549.65

20 JUBAILI AGROTEC LTD

AGRICULTURAL INSECTICIDES

6-Oct-16

305.50

5,000.00

21 TERRATIGA LTD

ANIMAL FEED CONCENTRATE

6-Oct-16

315.50

26,225.02

22 STERLING BANK PLC

COURSE FEE

6-Oct-16

305.50

3,300.00

23 TOMAD PRINTAZ LIMITED

HEIDELBERG MOVPH

6-Oct-16

305.50

40,000.01 10,000.00

24 SUNCHEM INDUSTRIES LTD

6-Oct-16

305.50

25 ADESUYI OLUWAROTIMI OLANREWAJU

MEDICAL BILLS

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL

6-Oct-16

305.50

1,500.00

26 MAINLAND OIL AND GAS LTD

MOGAS

6-Oct-16

305.50

10,000.00

27 TRISA NIG LTD

RAW MATERIAL FOR PLASTIC INDUSTRY

6-Oct-16

305.50

10,000.00

28 DAHUNSI TITLAYO

SCHOOL FEES

6-Oct-16

305.50

1,100.00

29 AKINTOLA AYODEJI OLUSOJI

SCHOOL FEES

6-Oct-16

305.50

1,100.00

30 PAUL-TAIWO ADEOYE OLUKOYA

SCHOOL FEES

6-Oct-16

345.85

1,450.78

31 JONES ADEBAYO OLUGBEMIGA

SCHOOL FEES

6-Oct-16

305.50

1,500.00

32 ADAMSON ADEWUNMI ISMAIL

TUITION FEES

6-Oct-16

305.50

1,500.00

33 BOVAS & CO LTD

6-Oct-16

305.50

15,000.00

34 CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

UNLEADED GASOLINE IMTSO

6-Oct-16

338.60

35 CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

IMTSO

6-Oct-16

335.46

3,456.88 208,831.20

895.49

36 UNITY BANK

INTERBANK

6-Oct-16

312.50

37 YINKA ADEOLA

PTA

6-Oct-16

312.00

4,000.00

38 SARO AGRO SCIENCES LTD

AGRICULTURAL INSECTICIDES SNIPER

7-Oct-16

313.50

208,831.20

39 EMEL ENT. LTD

EMEL BRAND COMPLETE

7-Oct-16

315.00

100,000.00

40 BEAUMONT AROMATICS NIG LTD

INDUSTRIAL MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT S

7-Oct-16

312.50

41 METRA IMPEX LIMITED

RAW MATERIAL FOR REFIGERATION INDUSTRY

7-Oct-16

312.50

41,480.00 47,392.50

42 TOPAZ CLINIC LIMITED

SCHOOL FEES

7-Oct-16

361.00

43 TOPAZ CLINIC LIMITED

SCHOOL FEES IMTSO

7-Oct-16

345.85

672.39

7-Oct-16

351.75

1,498.31

45 CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

IMTSO

7-Oct-16

335.67

2,017.17

46 BOLAJI AUDU

PTA

7-Oct-16

312.00

2,000.00

44 CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

TOTAL For further enquiries, please contact Sterling Bank Plc. Tel.: 014484481-5 or 014489470-94 E-mail: customercare@sterlingbankng.com www.sterlingbankng.com

499.43

889,050.43


11

MONDAY, October 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Interview Recovered funds should be channeled into capital projects – Ojikutu

Politics Eight years after the Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee submitted its report and the recommendations yet to be implemented, the present administration has set up another committee on the issue, FELIX NWANERI reports

12

Another journey to electoral reform

I

t is a new chapter in the country’s polity as the Federal Government last week inaugurated a 25-man Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee, which it said is aimed at consolidating the new innovations in the electoral space. The committee is headed by former Senate President Ken Nnamani. Other members include Dr. Mamman Lawal (secretary), Oluwole Uzzi, O. O. Babalola, Mr. Duruaku Chima, Mrs. Musa Maryam, H.A Tahir, Ike Udunni, S.O Ibrahim, Esther Uzoma, Muiz Banire, Eze Philip, Bashir Ibrahim, Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Utum Eteng, Ejike Eze, A.C Ude, E. Ifendu, Francis Bullen, Anike Nwoga, Cecilia Adams, Clement Nwankwo, C. Jude, Mohammed Tukur and Juliet Ibekaku. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who inaugurated the committee last week, said he was directed by President Muhammadu Buhari to set up the committee. He recalled that the President had in his inauguration speech stated his desire to deepen the country’s democracy and entrench the culture of an enduring electoral system, adding: “It is important to evaluate our democratic journey thus far with a view to fashioning out a more enduring system that will serve present and future generations.” The AGF further noted that recent judicial decisions have shown that there is urgent need to scale

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

L-R: Special Adviser to the President on Justice Reform, Juliet Ibekaku; Nnamani and Malami, at the inauguration of the committee

up confidence in the electoral system, pointing out that even the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Mahmoud, had decried the widespread distortion of binding judicial precedent with conflicting judgments. On the committee’s terms of reference, Malami said the team is expected to look into possible amendments to the Constitution and Electoral Act and come out with a more robust and generally acceptable electoral system. The minister, who advised the committee to consult far and wide and in particular with the National Assembly and judiciary in order to make recommendations that would stand the test of time, added: “The committee is also advised to take a holistic look of the recommendation of Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee.” But justified as the reasons for the constitution of the committee, the question most analysts have asked is: What is the essence of the Nnamani committee when the report of the Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee is yet to be implemented? Besides the Uwais committee report, there is also the report of the 2014 National Conference convoked by the immediate past administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, which made far reach-

The whole essence of this committee is that of consolidation

ing recommendations on how to reform the country’s electoral process but yet to be implemented as well. Senator Nnamani happens to chair the conference’s sub-committee on electoral reform but President Buhari, described the conference as a misplacement of priority. “I advised against the issue of National Conference. You would recall that the Academic Staff Union of Universities was on strike then for almost nine months. The teachers in the tertiary institutions were on strike for more than a year, yet that government had about N9 billion to organise that meeting (National Conference) and some (members) were complaining that they hadn’t even been paid. “I never liked the priority of that government on that particular issue, because what it meant is that the discussions on what the National Assembly ought to do were more important than keeping our children in schools. That is why I haven’t even bothered to read it or asked for a briefing on it and I want it to go into the so-called archives,” he said. The position of most stakeholders and analysts is that the Buhari administration should have dusted the Uwais committee report, which they described as compre-

hensive, for implementation and avoid the duplication of effort and waste of resources, which the Nnamani committee would amount to. Uwais committee recommendations Former President Umaru Yar’adua, who set up the Electoral Reform Committee under the headship of Justice Uwais (a former Chief Justice of Nigeria) on coming to power in 2007, admitted that the election he won the previous year was flawed. The committee delivered on its mandate and submitted its report within a year. It formally submitted its report on December 11, 2008. Unfortunately, Yar’adua was unable to implement the report as he died before he served out his tenure. The succeeding government led by his deputy, Jonathan, promised to implement the report but it never did until it was voted out in the 2015 general elections. The report consists of six volumes, volume one deals with the main report while volume two and three deal with memoranda received by the committee made up of 22 parts and analysis of the presentations made at the public hearing held by the committee. Volume four, which is in 13 parts contains the verbatim report of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 14


12

POLITICS \ Monday INTERVIEW

Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu is the first elected female deputy governor in Lagos State and Nigeria. She bares her mind in this interview with WALE ELEGBEDE on the state of the nation, how to make judicious use of recovered stolen funds and the economic recession, among other issues

When this present administration came on board, some monies were recovered from those who looted the treasury. What do you think the government should do with these funds? I think the government should have highlighted the projects they want to use these recovered stolen monies for and announce to the public that the recovered monies will go into the stated projects and people will see that the projects are being done. That way, people will start having hope in government. But that is not being done but we must not give up, we have to advise them on what to do. But are you worried that some Nigerians are beginning to make a comparison between this government and its predecessor, especially on the state of the economy? Nigerians are now like the Israelites when Moses led them out of Egypt and they were in the desert. At a point when the only meal they ate was Manna they started complaining that Moses should return them back to Egypt, where they were being marginalised. We are now behaving like that because I am now getting a feeling that Nigerians now prefer the time of people that were cheating them and looting their commonwealth to the time of someone who is helping to recover the loots. But I don’t know why some few cliques will enslave us with our own wealth and we appear contended. Are you not worried that the recovered funds could also go into private pockets? Most of these stolen funds are in still in the hands of a lot of people. My appeal is that even though the president may not be aware of the looted funds, those with the funds should approach him and drop the monies and Buhari also should highlight what he is going to do with the monies. That way, people will not feel the recovered money will not as usual go into private pockets again because it is not everybody around President Buhari that is on a clean plate. Some people are noted to be like these people we are talking about. So, if the monies are not fully channeled into visible projects, there is a temptation of believing that they might also want to keep the funds and later make it party money. There should be more trans-

MONDAY, October 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Recovered funds should be channelled into capital projects – Ojikutu parency in the way the administration is going about it, so that those who are now agitating, scheming and plotting against the president will not have grounds to stand on because the support of the people will be with him but as it is now, peoples’ goodwill is being eroded and that is what should be tackled because that is what keeps a president in place. The goodwill of the people deserted Jonathan and if the goodwill of the people deserts President Buhari, he is not the one that will suffer, it is the people that will suffer because if President Buhari should go under this cloud, what we will get will be Armageddon. That is why I have been told to talk and all of us will rise up together and let this administration see that things are not being done the way they should be done. Are you saying that you have a message for the country and the president? I'm not bringing this out because I was a former deputy governor but I'm doing this interaction because I received a message for Nigerians and the message has been coming and I just have to deliver it because it affects all of us. When former President Good-

Ojikutu

Those who have grouse against this administration should take it easy and... allow Buhari to accomplish his mission

luck Jonathan was in power, I got a similar message but that was meant to be delivered to him privately but not to Nigerians. The message came from the Psalms in the scripture after I was worried about so many things going on in the country then. I fasted and prayed and I received a message for him, and I made effort to see him but I was securely blocked. I went to Abuja on my own after securing an appointment to see him but those who were around him then felt I could not see him. The message has to do with his personal life but as they say, the rest is history. This time around, the message is for us as a nation. The message came in form of a reading from the Quran, I have been fasting and praying to know what is happening presently in this nation because it appears nobody is happy, everybody has one grouse or the other; those who were happy yesterday are unhappy today and only a few people can talk about being satisfied with what is going on. What is the message about? In the vision, President Buhari was likened to the she-camel in the Quran and the people of Tamud, very hard people in their ways, and they were given this

she-camel but God was watching them, if they allow it to drink on certain days while the rest of the people drank on another day. But somehow, the wicked people among them got together and decided that they must Armstrong this she-camel and they killed it and the whole nation of the Tamud people, God wiped them out. So, he was likened to that in that revelation but this message should go to all Nigerians because firstly, this nation has some people who without being compelled or commissioned by anyone, just decided to take it up as a duty to pray and fast for Nigeria, but I was told in the revelation that many of them have stopped doing that. Why do you think the intercessors stopped their duties over the nation? In the past, the plots of those who were planning evil against the country got mitigated by the prayers and intercessions of these set people that I am talking about. But right now, many of these people have stopped praying on behalf of this nation. They have stopped addressing and advising those who they should advise to do that which is right. So, the message is that if we allow this to continue, some people are


POLITICS \ Monday INTERVIEW

MONDAY, October 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ojikutu

plotting and planning, and their plots have reached an advanced stage and they want this man there, Buhari, to exit. But it is not Buhari that is the issue; it is Nigeria that is in trouble. And this is why I come out boldly to say please let all Nigerians try to disperse whatever grouse that is not making them happy, and pray for this nation that whoever or whatever group or groups of people are plotting the exit of this man should not succeed. Interestingly, those plotting also will not win because they will be in trouble and it will even affect the innocent. It is not only the guilty that will be in trouble this time around, those who believe that they have the power and money; somehow it will be turned and used against them. I don’t know what it is but I was told to wake up this nation; the young, old, rich, poor and every one of us should embark on selfexamination and come near to God asking that we don’t as a people go into disarray. If we are thrown into disarray, even the rich will not survive it. What it is I don’t know but this is the message that I’ve been given that we should all rise up in our individual enclaves, pray for Nigeria, seek a means of advising the person who is there if we can, fear God and talk to each other. A lot of people have many hidden things within them, which are not known to anybody and they are itching to put them to practice. From what I have been shown, Nigeria will not be the same if these people are able to fulfill their desires, it would not be what they also expect. From what I have seen and shown, it is like an Armageddon and it will happen unless those who usually intercede, pray and fast for this nation without being asked, go back to their kneels. From the day I got this message I’ve not been happy because many will hear and say what is she looking for. But I thank God that I don’t need any recognition; age is not even on my side again to be jumping around for anything. But if you have this kind of message, you must give it out because you

don’t want the wrath of God to descend on you. We need to go back to God irrespective of our religion and pray for our president not for his own sake alone but for our own sake as well. Also, I was told in the revelation that the president should be wary of his own inner circuit people as well. There are people around him working against him, so he should be very careful. How do you mean when you said Nigerians will suffer if Buhari was made to exit? There will be uprising and when there is such, you won’t know who will survive it. The punishment of God can come in different forms. The suffering will affect the good, the bad, the rich and the poor and that is why I am afraid and making this clarion call that we should pray, fast, advice and take action. We should stop taking our eyes away from correcting evils. That is why I am saying that those who have grouse against this administration should take it easy and have a rethink because if they allow it to take over them and they take action, it will consume them and they should not dare God. They should be patient and allow Buhari to accomplish his mission. When did you start to receive this type of message? All my life, I’ve always have revelations on and off. People who know me know that this is not unusual but this is the first time I am being told to go nationwide with it. In this case, I wasn’t sent to Buhari, otherwise I would have sought an appointment with him but I was sent to Nigerians. I had an uneasy feeling and that made me go into fasting and it was during the fasting that I asked to know what is happening because people who were happy when Buhari came to power are no longer happy again but I think the presidend is not the problem but we are the problem. Were we really working the way we should work before he came on board? Were we really earning our earnings the way we should? Did the government then knew how Ni-

Were we actually buoyant before or we had a fake economic growth and the realities are just hitting us in the face now?

gerians were feeding? The truth is that majority were just cutting corners to make ends meet because the government then wasn’t doing what it is supposed to do. So, we can now understand why people are fed up. We must start to examine ourselves. The truth is that our trust in God has shifted, before now, people are so quick to say we trust in God but many people are not saying that again because for them, they called on God and this government came and still we are not seeing anything. The systems are not working and people have started giving up but we must not give up on this nation. If we give up on this nation what is coming will not be palatable to every one of us. It’s not everyone that is fraudulent; some people will want the system to work. We have to continue to be hopeful and pray that this man that God has allowed to get to office at this time will fulfill his mission for the sake of all of us and not for his sake. The activities of Fulani herdsmen have become a recurring issue in the polity. How do you think we can get it resolved? These Fulani herdsmen have always been with us and they are friendly up until now that we started seeing and hearing things about them. I believe that there are forces using the Fulani herdsmen to be more forceful for reasons known to them. Our president is a Fulani man and I know that there was a committee he set up to look into the forceful activities of the herdsmen. But you will agree with me that he also needs to be careful not to be seen antagonising his own clan. However, I want to say that everybody has the right to defend their territory. Just like Ekiti State has done by regulating the herdsmen activities, others should take a cue and defend their territories, I don’t think we should be calling on Buhari for things like these. Since they are in your territory, combat them and then let us now hear Mr. President say don’t combat them. Oonce the herdsmen sense that the will of the people is up against them, they will withdraw. But I think it is just an issue of perception on where the president comes from, oh, he is a Fulani man and that was what was uppermost in the mind of many people and they feel he is condoling them. The nation’s economy is in recession and there are proposals that the government should sell some national assets to boost the economy. What is your take on that? I am sorry, I think I have a different view about this economic recession talk. I have asked the question, were we actually buoyant before or we had a fake economic growth and the realities are just hitting us in the face now? Number one, oil prices have gone down and our work ethics is nothing to write home about for a long time. I have always had issues with the work ethics of Nigerians. There was even a time when they carried placards that I must go. The oil boom which is supposed to be a blessing has turned out to be part of what has caused our problem in this country. People who used to believe that they don’t need to work to

13

make it are now working because free the money is no longer there again. This is the only country where you don’t have to suffer to eat, especially in Lagos, because people are so generous. Our lives are not regulated, our taxes are not regulated. So, when we talk about recession, I believe that this recession is a blessing that is opening our eyes and senses to the benefits of good and services. Talk with a market woman; she now knows what dollars is all about. Why didn’t she know before? I have an American work experience; you work for the almighty dollar. If you don’t work, you don’t get paid. Then I came back home and I see that here people believe that whether they go to work or not, the salary must be paid. That doesn’t happen in any decent society. There should have been a revolution in this country long ago if we are discipline. The other twist to this issue is that some people said they are not being paid salaries but they must report at work, the question to ask is where did they get money to transport themselves to the office? How does an employer expect his staff to get to work when they are not paying them? It should be no salary no work, but people will still go there. There has been endemic corruption in the system for a very long time. I’ve worked in places where the stealing was unbelievable, I tried to curb it but I was called different names. People who should support are the ones at the forefront of opposition against me. It’s very dangerous when nobody knows what is good from what is bad, because that is when a nation on the edge of destruction. That was where we were before Buhari came in. What would have happened if we had continued with what was going on under Jonathan that there was no more caution and everybody was just grabbing what was at sight, a nation cannot survive that way. What personal message do you have for President Buhari? First, he should look deep within his inner caucus because it is not everyone that is around him that is happy with his anticorruption drive. Secondly, he needs to be more transparent in the way he is handling state affairs. He shouldn’t allow people to easily read meanings in his action. Buhari has never been a regular politician and he should not start now. He is cut out to be a man of action but it seems politicians are curbing what he knows he should do. Also, he should have a meeting with all his predecessors and whatever is in their possession and that is the commonwealth of our nation should be used for a project and name the project after them. We are not asking them to give the money to us but they should the stolen funds to empower Nigerians through one project or the other, and it can bear their names, at least that gives them posterity. These monies from them can be used to industrialise our nation because it is the key to our development. This will give the common man on the street a sense of doing things right. We don’t have people to look up to and we actually need people like that.


14

POLITICS

MONDAY, October 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Electoral reform: Mixed feelings C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 1

public hearings, while volume five and six contain reports of retreats held with foreign experts and the appendices to the main report. Justice Uwais had reasoned then that the implementation of the recommendations “will significantly restore credibility to the Nigerian electoral process and usher in an era of free, fair and credible elections that will conform with international best practices.” Among the recommendations of the report include the appointment of chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the rest of the board by the National Judicial Council (NJC); that only the Senate should have the power to remove the INEC chairman or anyone on the board based on the NJC’s recommendation; funding of INEC directly through the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the federation; setting up of a Constituency Delimitation Commission, Political Parties Registration and Regulatory commissions; holding of presidential and governorship elections at least six months before the expiration of the term of the current holders of the offices; independent candidates and that no elected person should assume office until the case against him or her in the tribunal or court is determined. Of particular interest was the recommendation by the committee for the setting up of an Electoral Offences Commission to ensure prosecution of offenders even after the winner would have emerged. A similar recommendation was made by the Sheik Ahmed Lemu Committee report on the 2011 postelection crisis. The panel set up the Jonathan administration to investigate the 2011 post elections, reported that 943 persons died and 843 were injured due to electoral violence. It therefore recommended the establishment of “an autonomous and constitutionally recognised Electoral Offences Tribunal, but which may be an ad hoc body as it may not have much to do in between election periods.” The Jonathan administration not only accepted the recommendation, it also directed the Attorney General to take steps towards setting the tribunal. But years down the line, the tribunal is yet to be established. AGF justifies committee’s set up Apparently reacting to arguments in some quarters that the Nnamani committee is duplication of efforts and “job for the boys,” the AGF said the Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee is different from the Justice Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee. His words: “Fundamentally, there are two key differences. The first difference is that in the other committee their assignment concluded with a recommendation and no further steps were taken in terms of actualising it. “The whole essence of this committee is that of consolidation. From 2008 when the Uwais committee was put in place, a lot of other issues have come up within

Buhari

the electoral landscape in Nigeria. Those new innovations and events that came on board were not taken into consideration by the Uwais committee that is why we call this committee a consolidation committee. Consolidation committee in terms of looking at the recommendations made by the Uwais committee over time, looking at the new innovations that came into the electoral-space and then look at them jointly to see how the process can be taken forward for action and implementation. “The essence now is taking the process forward by way of seeking the blessings of the Federal Executive Council and National Assembly, and eventually passing it into law. By so doing, the process would be moved from the point of recommendation to the point of implementation through legislative process.” He decried a situation where the lives of electoral officials are at risk during polls and where politicians make the environment for elections a war theatre. Nnamani, on his part said he was confident that President Buhari would enhance democratic structures in Nigeria. His words: “The issue of inconclusive elections in the country affects national election, which leads to loss of lives and the best way to handle it is to stop inconclusive election. The best way to stop it in advance is to support the government in implementing what will make Nigeria have non-violence elections.” As the former Senate president rightly pointed out, there has been concern given the outcome of recent elections and reruns conducted by the Prof. Mahmood Yakubuled INEC though the commission attributed the development to the competitiveness of the country’s polls. The November 21 and December 5, 2015 governorship polls in Kogi and Bayelsa states, respectively, which were the first test for the new INEC chairman and his team, not only ended on inconclusive notes but were characterised

Musa

Committee should look at the report of the Uwais committee and incorporate it in what it would be coming up with

Okorie

by poor logistics. The subsequent rerun elections in Rivers and Osun States and the FCT council poll ended on similar notes but there was appreciable improvement in the just held governorship election in Edo State though the opposition alleged manipulation of the results. But as the Nnamani committee settles down to commence work on its assignment; it is mixed feelings among some stakeholders, who spoke with New Telegraph on its constitution. They include former governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa; National Chairman of United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie; National Chairman of National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr. Yinusa Tanko; President General of Igbo think tank – Aka Ikenga – Chief Goddy Uwazurike; National President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Alhaji Yerima Shettima and public affairs analyst, Jide Ojo. Musa: It’s a political miscalculation The Uwais Committee report has not been implemented and government is setting up another committee. Even the report of the committee which was set up for credible, free, fair and legitimate election leading to legitimate election is far short of peoples’ expectation and it didn’t meet what Nigerians expected. And now without implementing anything about Uwais report, the incumbent government is coming up with another public deceit. If the Uwais committee cannot do better than what previous administrations had done, the present committee will not do better. The government is yet to implement the Uwais report and it is talking about new committee. So, we should see it as political miscalculation and political fraud that will not bring out anything better. I don’t believe in the new electoral reform committee. They should scrap the committee. It is a waste of money. It is waste of our resources in pretence that they can

do what they cannot do. Okorie: Committee shouldn’t ignore Uwais report Given the position of President Buhari on the report of the 2014 National Conference, it would be better for us to support the Nnamani committee, which he is likely to adopt the recommendations that will emanate from it at the end of the day rather than insisting on what he doesn’t have the temperament to accommodate. I say this because he had openly supported the introduction of the card reader to our electoral process and even promised to further back the use technology to make sure that every vote counts. With that mindset, I am sure that the terms of reference given to the committee, is in that line. And Nnamani, being a former Senate president, who has been part of the process of some amendments in the electoral process in the past, will not ignore the recommendations of the Uwais committee. I don’t think that anything that will further enrich our electoral process and deepen our democracy is a waste. Our party would be submitting a memorandum to committee and we encourage other stakeholders to do so. I also advise that the President should be encouraged to expedite action on the recommendations of the committee by time it concludes its job and submits report. He should be ready to forward the recommendations by way of executive bill to the National Assembly for appropriate amendment to the relevant electoral laws. We shouldn’t see the committee as job for the boys as erroneously being propagated in some quarters because there are so many ways he can engage his loyalists if he so wishes. There are several board appointments to be made which is even recognised by the constitution but he has been reluctant in doing that. I don’t subscribe to that argument. As I said earlier, the committee should look at the report of the Uwais committee and incorporate it in what it would be coming up


MONDAY, October 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

over Nnamani committee

Shettima

Nwazurike

with, so that President will take credit for it and let us make progress. Yerima: Recession, a more serious issue of recession than electoral reform The Nnamani committee is not necessary for now. What the Buhari administration should have done is to look at ways of implementing the Uwais committee report because it is comprehensive enough to address lapses in our electoral process. We have a more serious issue of economic recession on our hand but because people in government have a funny way of doing things, they always come up with unnecessary committees whenever they want create jobs for their loyalists. It is an insult on the sensibilities of Nigerians for the present government to think the priority of the people at the moment is electoral reform when there is severe hunger in the land. There is suffering in the land, which is a primary issue but the government in its wisdom thinks that the best thing to do is setting up another committee on electoral reform, when everybody know that the various issues being raised now would have been addressed if the Uwais committee report had been implemented. We all commended the Uwais committee then for doing a good though the Jonathan administration failed to implement its report. But one had expected that President Buhari would have looked at it, adopt it and make adjustments were necessary rather than starting afresh by setting up another committee. What we need at the moment is a committee that will come out with measures, which will take us out of the present economic recession because Nigerians are dying of hunger. Uwazurike: National Assembly’ll have the final say Besides the call for the implementation of the report of the Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Elector-

al Reform Committee, you should recall that before now, President Buhari has said that he would not look at the report of the 2014 National Conference convoked by former President Goodluck Jonathan, which also have recommendations on electoral reform. Since Buhari has insisted that he won’t look at the confab report, let him do his own; that is why he is the president. Let him go ahead if that will make him think about restructuring the country. Restructuring is in various forms; we have electoral reform, structural reform, judicial reform and economic reform. All of them come under the name – political reform – so the electoral reform is part of the restructuring that we have been calling for. But, if in doing that, he will not look at what is already on ground, let him go and do his own and let us give him the benefit of doubt. What it requires to implement whatever recommendations that Nnamani committee will come up with is the political will on the side of the President and luckily for him, his party is in control of the chambers of the National Assembly. I believe that at the end of the day, everything would depend on the position of the National Assembly but Ken Nnamani being a former Senate president, of course, he knows the language. He was also at the last National Conference, so he knows what is expected of his committee. I see that President Buhari just want a document bearing his name that is why he doesn’t want to touch the report of the processes initiated by former Presidents Yar’adua and Jonathan as we are still moving in the same direction. Tanko: It’s waste of taxpayers’ funds - Tanko The Electoral Reform Committee is a jamboree. It is another waste of tax payers’ money, which the government says we don’t even have now. If the government wants to embark on electoral reform, it should sit down and invite all polit-

Tanko

It is another waste of tax payers’ money, which the government says we don’t even have now

ical parties to have input in it. Electoral reform cannot be left alone for a committee; it should not have been given to a committee because we already have a document from the Uwais committee. If you notice, the Uwais committee did not have politicians as members. And they did a very good job. But in the new electoral reform committee, there are politicians. Ken Nnamani is a politician but a well respected Nigerian, who has shown his character. There is no doubt about it. But then, he will pang toward whoever may have appointed him no matter how you look at it. We have the likes Prof. Attahiru Jega and members of civil society groups in the Uwais Electoral Reform Committee and they did a very good job but the document has been stashed somewhere. And now the Nnamani committee is to review the work that the Uwais committee did; that is absurd. That document has not been subjected or passed to the National Assembly for them to look at it critically, so that they can make input and all political parties can also make input. Why are we always denying the political parties the opportunity to make input in electoral reform? It is unacceptable that one political party in the disguise of government will decide the fate of other political parties. We have it on good authority that what they are trying to do is to reduce the number of political parties to two. They should allow political parties to survive and make input on their own. This particular electoral reform committee is totally out of it. Political parties should be allowed to sit together and determine the document they want to enact into law. We need to own our document. Ojo: No need for another electoral reform committee I do not think this is a priority issue now. Even if it is, it’s a right thing being done at the wrong time. In August 2007, former President Umaru Yar’Adua, seeing the deeply flawed election of that year, set up Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais

POLITICS

15

22-member committee to reform our electoral process. The committee sat for 16 months and came up with 83 recommendations which many informed Nigerians believed if wellimplemented would therefrom give the country credible electoral process and outcomes. When the report was submitted in December 2008, Yar’Adua set up a White Paper committee headed by the then Attorney-General and Minister of Justice who submitted its report in March 2009. Thereafter, President Yar’Adua sent six electoral reform bills to the National Assembly many of which were rejected. Though some of the key recommendations of the ERC were vetoed by the White Paper committee, it still stands to the credit of Yar’Adua that the 2010 constitution amendments and Electoral Act which eventually gave the country a credible election in 2011 were derived from the ERC report. Despite the successful and credible general elections of 2011, about 800 lives were lost and properties worth billions of naira destroyed in pre-election violence in Akwa Ibom State and post-presidential election in some northern states. President Goodluck Jonathan on May 11, 2011, inaugurated the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu-led 22-member presidential panel of inquiry to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incidences of electoral violence. The panel submitted its findings to the former President on October 10, 2011. It is instructive that five years after, many of the recommendations, just like those of the ERC report before it, had yet to be implemented. To the best of my knowledge, the only thing I’m aware Jonathan did was to pay compensation to some of the victims of electoral violence. The arrowheads and their foot soldiers who perpetrated the mindless acts were never brought to justice. After that came the 2014 National Conference set up by President Jonathan. About 500 eminent Nigerians were brought to Abuja from all over the country to jaw jaw for months. They came up with hundreds of resolutions. The confab cost the country about N7bn, yet it has been kept on the shelf in the Presidency. None of the beautiful recommendations has been implemented. Like Nnamani said at a civil society event sometime ago, Nigeria is becoming a nation of perpetual reformers. The issues with our electoral process have been wellarticulated and solutions proffered but government has been tardy and sloppy with implementation. What assurances do we have that this 24-member Nnamani committee is not a ruse? To drive home my point, part of the ERC recommendations was the establishment of Electoral Offences Commission. The Presidency adopted this and the Federal Executive Council in 2012 or thereabout approved the setup. Yet, the inauguration of this all-important commission that would have helped to sanitise our electoral process has been kept in abeyance. •Additional reports from Temitope Ogunbanke


16

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

As politics stares Udom in the face Dominik Umosen

T

he reformation of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), which has been initiated by the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Kpotun Idris will necessarily be intense and painful, nothing like the half-hearted attempt to recover Akwa Ibom over-bearing politiciaans. Restoring confidence in the institution, which suffered abuse under successive governments, requires a huge effort and the new IGP has set about this responsibility with transparent conviction. Unlike genuine reformation which is impossible on the Akwa Ibom model where Governor Udom Emmanuel curiously accepted a cabinet that was imposed on him by his political benefactor, Obong Godswill Akpabio who is now the Senate Minority Leader, the new police helmsman, who was Assistant Inspector General (AIG), in charge of Operations before his appointment, showed readiness for the job. That is why he blasted off with morale-boosting visits to formations across the country soon after his appointment last June. Unlike Governor Udom who would rather not assert himself and risk forfeiture of political patronage, Idris hit the ground running which was why he demanded a stop to the old way of doing stuff, including conversion of donated vehicles to personal use by Force top brass.

If he had been driven by similar desperation, Idris would have conveniently persisted in the massive rot that he inherited, including tear-jerking collaboration in unprecedented kidnaps that rocked Akwa Ibom between in the past. Giant strides towards reforming and upgrading the welfare of officers and men has been prioritized in the Force since his assumption of office. Even his critics admit that there has been greater compliance with improved methodology of policing since the new super cop came on board. Critics say that the force may not yet have maximized efficiency and inspired desired confidence, yet they concede that the incumbent IGP has ushered in refreshing change and commitment to welfare of officers and steady improvement in compliance with operational methodology by police officers. It is an accepted fact in engineering that a unit can not run faster than the system, hence the general agreement on the fact that because the Nigerian society is yet to attain perfection, it is impossible to expect perfect or optimum performance from a unit in this system. Unlike the IGP who asserted himself from inception, the unwitting acceptance of imposition has become an albatross to Udom, especially as 2019 draws steadily close. Already, the credibility crisis suffered by his administration has become compounded by allegations of disloyalty levelled against some cabinet members that are perceived as moles and fifth columnists who were deliberately planted by his predecessor to monitor the incumbent. The consequence of distraction from ef-

The unwitting acceptance of imposition has become an albatross to Udom

fective governance and loss of impact from this skewed arrangement that the incumbent accepted without complaint, consequently provided a shot in the arm for the All Progressives Congress (APC), in its determination to snatch the state. And this desperation to snatch Akwa Ibom is inching closer to manifestation as revealed by deft moves to rattle the incumbent by fielding a popular candidate from Eket Senatorial District to challenge the governor who has not convinced skeptics that he is not a helpless victim of a political spell, unlike the admirable example demonstrated by the IGP. Besides providing counterpoise against desperation, the master stroke in a popular candidate from Eket to challenge the incumbent in 2019 compensates for serial political blunders the opposition inflicted on itself. In 2011, the opposition came dead on arrival by fielding a candidate from Uyo Senatorial District, right after the out-going governor, Obong Victor Attah who hails from the zone. And as if inspired by similar death wish, the APC trampled upon political sensibilities, fielded yet another candidate from Uyo, Chief Umanah Okon Umanah, who only just quit as Secretary to the State Government(SSG) and paid dearly for it. Udom seems not aware of the pain he is causing his admirers by unwittingly holding Akwa Ibom for the APC to rape which is what blind allegiance to a decimated political platform amounts to. His pledge to a benefactor emphatically inspired the opposition to perfect irresistible strategies that lured a difficult bride for the APC to devour. •Umosen (dominikumosen1@gmail.com) wrote in from Lagos.

Dwindling Imo economy and inflation Cyril Aririguzo

H

onest reflections of the true picture of things in Imo seem to suggest that all is not well with the economy and its people. There has been sharp decline in economic activities and in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for more than Six months running and nothing tangible seems to have been done by government to remedy the situation. Even, the latest forecast by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) a week ago predicted that Nigeria’s economy would contract further by 1.8 percent and this was further re-affirmed by the Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun when she concurred that Nigeria was technically in recession. Already, Imo State is experiencing some of the worst form of recession in recent time from the look of things on the ground. The resultant effect of the contemporary situation is the harsh economic condition, occasioned by insensitivity of those in government to the plight of their subjects. This shows why the lingering face off between the civil servants, pensioners, the organized private sector and government has continued. As the problem continues many families are finally disorganized, pauperized, confused and mesmerized as a result not knowing what to do and the government is not concerned. The insensitivity of the government has drawn huge criticism and condemnation to the

extent that many are calling for the governor to resign. If I may recall, before Governor Okorocha was re-elected in 2015, he promised during his campaign to bring succour to the people, fix all the roads he embarked upon, improve quality of lives by embarking on people oriented projects, create jobs for the unemployed, stimulate trade and attract foreign investments by providing enabling environment in the state. This was equally reflected in his campaign mantra, “Job, Job, Job, Factory, Factory, Factory, Employment, Employment, Employment,” which was smartly used while the election lasted. Today we have seen that such boisterous statements and promises were well articulated make-believe strategy to hoodwink innocent and gullible electorate to have their votes. Many thought the government had something to offer in terms of economic package to backup the promises or to create enabling environment and policy to drive the economy and create jobs for the unemployed. The hard truth is that there is no economic policy or package available, no job has been created or factory sited in Imo or been attracted to the state even with all the several foreign trips which I am sure have gulped billions from our monthly allocations. I do not want to sound immodest, hard times are certainly here and ahead of the people. Imo state is in trouble because its economy is a shambles and it appears the government is running short of ideas on

how to solve the economic problems bedeviling the state from its body language. Many have alleged that corruption has turned to corporate leadership of sorts. The leadership has been accused of having insatiable appetite for material wealth acquisition and ostentatious living, a matter people have considered an affront to their collective intelligence. Public confidence has been eroded by the conduct of the government in running its affairs, having removed every sense of sanity and has not only become a thorn in the flesh of the people but has become very unpopular as the day goes. Corruption, mediocrity, favouritism and lack of purposeful leadership have been evident here, like we all know that these evils and cankerworm prevent the society from putting its abundant human and natural resources into productive use. It is a product of bad governance which often leads to poor economic growth as well hampers economic development of the state. The government of Governor Okorocha has been accused severally of compounding the expectation of the ordinary man who waits in vain to feel the impact of good governance. In Nigeria where our economic development is tied to our political survival, it will be pertinent to observe that the mirage of problems be biting our society might be more compounded if the trend of events by our political actor is not put on the check or advised to make amendments. The

product of this kind of political enterprise is the lack of trust between the government and the people and which is robbing off negatively on the state. Already the perception of the people may have changed given the negative impact of the raging economic recession and this of course, forms the reason why many pundits are of the view that our journey to economic recovery may be fait-non-accompli. Even in the terrible times many still believe that something could be done to salvage the situation if our leaders will be more proactive and patriotic enough to do the right things before things get out of hands. With the frightening increase in poverty, hunger and despair it will be an understatement to say that Imo of today is sick and is experiencing the worst form of economic hardship occasioned by seeming poor leadership. The fact remains that the state has not been up to date in the paying of civil servants and pensioners salaries and pensions and cannot live up to stimulate her economy. The governor from the look of things, may have given up already on Imo State going by his body language and a recent statement while reacting to an open letter ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim wrote to him. Sadly the Governor instead of accepting and taking correction from the well articulated educative letter rather decided to assemble a think-tank committee to reply Ohakim. This is ridiculous for a good leader! Who is fooling who in the state? •Aririguzo wrote in from Lagos.


MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

17

EDITORIAL

Our VISION To build a newspaper organisation anchored on the sanctity of truth. Sanctity of Truth

Our MISSION To publish a newspaper of superior value, upholding the fundamental ethics of journalism: balanced reporting, fairness, accuracy and objectivity.

T

Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

Managing national assets

he ding-dong over the proposed sale of some of the national assets came to a head last Tuesday when the presidency advertised for sale two of the 10 aircraft in the Presidential Fleet. The two aircraft – a Falcon 7X and Hawker Sidley 4000 – government stated in an advertisement, could be inspected at the Presidential Air Fleet’s Hangar located at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and at Cessna Zurich Citation Service Centre, Zurich, Switzerland. The Federal Government had spent a whooping N7 billion to maintain the 10-aircraft in the PAF fleet 16 months. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma, at a cabinet retreat, had dropped the hint of government’s plan to dispose of some national assets to bridge the funding gap in the budget and up the country’s dwindling foreign reserves. Items proposed for sale includes some aircraft in the presidential fleet; four refineries in Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna and part of the 49 per cent government’s shareholding in the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company. Government also considered advance payment for licence rounds, infrastructure concessioning and the use of recovered loot to fund the budget

as the price of crude oil, used as benchmark for the budget, plummeted in the international market. Apparently, the federal government flew a kite through the Minister. Government was testing the waters on how Nigerians would react to the plan to sell these assets. The fact is that the country is broke. And the government needs capital fast to fund the budget. Nigerians are complaining. The economy is down. Prices of commodities have gone off the roof. Businesses are collapsing and compatriots are dying ei-

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

Funke Egbemode

Managing Editor, Business & Strategy n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor, Publication & Operations n Emeka Obasi

Managing Editor, South n Emeka Madunagu Managing Editor, North & Abuja n Laurence Ani (Leave of Absence) Editor n Ayodele Ojo Editor, Sunday n Juliet Bumah Editor, Saturday n Waheed Bakare Deputy Editor, Group Head, Newsroom n Geoffrey Ekenna

Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed Sales/Circulation Manager n Oyebanji Abiodun Head, Arts & Creative n Ugochukwu Nnakwe Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

Stimulus Bill containing fiscal stimulus packages, investments and incentives designed to pull the country out of recession. The Labour unions – NLC, TUC, PENGASSAN –other groups and Nigerians also kicked against the sale of the national assets. While we align with the argument that government does not have to sell the people’s commonwealth because of the present situation, the ones draining the nation’s pocket have to go! How can one

The ones draining the nation’s pocket have to go

ther through suicide or hunger. A responsive and responsible government needs to do something fast. This is not a time to live a life of luxury while the masses who voted leaders into power are suffering. The Senate overwhelmingly rejected government’s proposal, arguing that selling the assets would hurt the system in the future. The lawmakers suggested, among others, the review of the operations of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) as the implementation had contributed to starving the system of funds. They also asked the executive to urgently submit an Economic

DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha

explain, in these austere times, spending N7 billion maintaining only the president’s fleet of aircraft?

Of what use is that to a hungry Nigerian? Or how do you explain spending N264 billion as turnaround maintenance for refineries that are not producing optimally? Nigeria still imports fuel for local consumption! These billions of naira wasted on frivolities would have taken care of infrastructures and healthcare that will benefit the Nigerian masses. We commend the federal government’s decision to sell some aircraft in the presidential fleet, and also ask that government should go ahead to sell off assets that constitute drain pipes to the nation’s purse. Government must also monitor and

make sure that the proceeds of the sales are used in refloating the economy. However, we say no to the proposed selling of 49 per cent of government’s shares in NLNG as this is a cash cow for the government. Government should exercise restraint on this with the hope that this tough time will not last. Already, the price of oil has started picking up. We are sure government must have learnt some hard lessons from this recession. One is the lesson of diversification. Government needs to diversify from a mono economic product – oil - and increase allocation in budgets for agriculture and solid minerals. Nigeria is a consuming nation. Government should create enabling environment to attract investors. This will reduce unemployment and help in arresting the dwindling foreign exchange. Most importantly, we suggest that governments at all levels should consider cutting down the cost of governance. If the executive and legislature are sincere and serious on ways of getting out of recession fast, they should consider a cut in salaries and emoluments. Curiously, nobody suggested this during the debate in the Senate. Security votes should be reviewed downwards. Recession time is not a time to live in luxury.


18

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH


19

monDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

INTERVIEW

Law

Adetola-Kazeem: Fusion of investigative, prosecutorial powers good for EFCC

NEWS Dasuki’s tortuous journey to freedom

20 23

Lawyers push for effective FoI

AKEEM NAFIU reviews the Freedom of Information Act since its enactment in 2011 and gives a verdict that it is not yet uhuru

F

ive years on, the Freedom of Information Act 2011(FoI) which was described in its introductory paragraph as “an Act to make public records and information more freely available, provide for public access to public records and information, protect public records and information to the extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of personal privacy, protect serving public officers from adverse consequences of disclosing certain kinds of official information without authorization and establish procedures for the achievement of those purposes and; for related matters,” is yet to attain its useful purposes. Specifically, Section 1(1) of the Act which says “notwithstanding anything contained in any other Act, law or regulation, the right of any person to access or request information, whether or not contained in any written form, which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution howsoever described, is established,” has been under threat five years after the Act was passed into law. For instance, Section 1(2) says, “an applicant under this Act needs not demonstrate any specific interest in the information being applied for” while Section 1(3) says, “any person entitled to the right to information under this Act, shall have the right to institute proceedings in the court to compel any public institution to comply with the provisions of this Act.” Yet Nigerians remain choked as access to information is still a tall dream notwithstanding the empowerment of the FoI. FoI was enacted on May 28, 2011 following its signing into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Its enactment was aimed at stemming the tide of pervasive culture of secrecy in government business and open up the space for Nigerians to ask questions about how they are being governed. For years, Nigerians lack access to

FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE

deputy group news editor/ JUDICIARY coordinator foluso.ogunmodede@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Buhari

information about institutions that thrive on public funds was being compounded by the oath of secrecy sworn to by civil servants under the existing Official Secrets Act. Three organisations; Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), mooted an idea for a Freedom of Information law for Nigeria in 1993 during the regime of the late General Sanni Abacha. But this battle for access to information on public institutions and government did not make any significant progress until 1998 after a campaign to legalise the right of access to documents and information in the custody of government, its officials and agencies as a necessary corollary to the guarantee of effective freedom of expression was spearheaded by the organisations This however led to a bill entitled “Draft Access to Public Records and Official Information Act” was eventually produced in 1994 by the Media Rights Agenda (MRA). The content of the draft was a product of consultations among the three organisations, responses to questionnaires administered on practicing Nigerian journalists as well as experiences of other countries operating freedom of information laws. The draft which was the basis of further discussions and debates was later subjected to a series of reviews by various stakeholders. Sadly, all efforts at making the dream of having legislations on the freedom of information a reality were unsuccessful as the government being headed by the late Gen. Sanni Abacha became more repressive and brutal and the law was never passed. However, the necessary political climate needed to revisit the issue

Saraki

Dogara

was created following the death of General Abacha in June 1998 and the coming into power of Major-General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who immediately embarked on a transition to civil rule programme under which elections were held into various levels of government between December 1998 and February 1999. The Freedom of Information (FoI) bill was first submitted to Nigeria’s 4th National Assembly in 1999 when the country returned to democracy but it did not make much progress. The bill however staged a comeback to the legislative chambers in the 5th National Assembly in 2003 and was passed by both chambers in the first quarter of 2007. However, it was vetoed by President Olusegun Obasanjo. The bill later found its way back to both chambers of the 6th National Assembly in 2007 and was finally passed on May 24, 2011. To many, the signing of the bill into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan on May 28, 2011 was an indication that the country had been equipped with vital tools to uncover facts, fight corruption and hold officials and institutions accountable for their deeds. With the FoI, it became mandatory for institutions spending public funds to be open on their operations and expenditure while citizens will have the right to access information about their activities. The law would also protect Whistleblowers who report wrongful conducts by their employers or organizations from reprisals attack. Sadly, there are growing concerns that FoI is not being fully or effectively implemented more than five years after it came into existence as what appears as a pervasive culture of secrecy in government business

coupled with the low level of public usage had remained a clog in the wheel of the Act’s progress. The inadequate implementation and scarce demand for information pursuant to the law by citizens might not be unconnected with the belief that civil servants are not ready to abide by the right of access to information as guaranteed by the legislation. For instance, a civil society organisation, ‘Right to Know’, in a report released to mark the first celebration of the Universal Access to Information Day, indicated that ministries, departments and agencies were not complying with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2011. According to the report, the National Assembly which passed the bill that eventually became the FoI Act five years ago had also never complied with the provisions of the act. The association’s National Coordinator, Ene Nwankpa lamented that “44 public institutions which submitted FoI annual reports in 2016, represent just a fraction of over 800 public institutions in existence.” According to her, an assessment of the websites of 43 of the 44 public institutions that submitted FoI annual report to the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) in 2016, indicated a below average compliance mark with the proactive disclosure provisions. Nwankpa said: “The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) is the only institution with a dedicated FoI portal for receiving and responding to electronic FoI requests and publishing information. “Even the National Assembly that CONTINUED ON PAGE 22


20 Law|INTERVIEW

monDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Adetola-Kazeem: Fusion of investigative, Chief Gani AdetolaKazeem, a Notary Public and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb). In this interview with JOHN CHIKEZIE, he speaks on EFCC’s prosecutorial powers, sale of national assets, judiciary and sundry issues

How would you look at the call by the lawyers’ umbrella body-the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the removal of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) prosecutorial powers? Well, there could be arguments for and against. The ideal is that law enforcement agencies should have strong investigative machinery. This would not only help to detect crimes, but also to investigate and acquire adequate materials necessary for prosecution that could sustain any charge in such events. However, this is not a matter of politics, though ordinarily I should support or sympathise with my association. But they have their reasons for the advocacy. Maybe the NBA presumes that if you have an independent agency handling prosecution, it could be more dispassionate. But against that view, my position is that if there is both an investigative and prosecution under the same umbrella (EFCC), then consultation and synergy would be much faster. When we have the same agency handling prosecution, the advantage is that it creates synergy between the investigative arm of that agency and its prosecuting arm. It’s easier dealing with both arms when they are working under the same agency; in the sense of knowing the intricacies, through investigations, required to sustain prosecution. Unlike when it’s a different agency entirely handling prosecution. The likely occurrence would be for the investigative agency to conclude its investigations in the manner it knows best and simply sends the results to the prosecuting agency. It is possible for the prosecution to find missing gaps with the results, within the space and time of delivery. The prosecution might even discover a certain amount of insufficiencies with the data collected to adequately formulate a charge in the law court. Hence, for every charge, there should be certain elements necessary to sustain a charge, especially in a criminal matter. For instance; if someone is being charged in some certain sections of the law, certain elements must be present for the charge to be sustained. So if the prosecution, upon examining what the investigative authorities had brought, discovers disparities or inadequacies, the likely outcome would be to send such data back to the agencies to re-conduct further and proper investigations. This would invariably reveal its inability to sustain the charge and lead to a “no case to answer” situation. This scenario happens quite often,

Adetola-Kazeem

especially, between the police and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) or Attorney’s-general office whether at the Federal or State. Unlike the police which is global and covers a wider scope, the EFCC has a specialized nature-bothering on economic and financial crimes. Although the police have some limited power of prosecution themselves, but in most cases, the prosecution, at the High court for instance, sends the file after they must have assembled their evidence to DPP’s office for an opinion- to determine whether there’s a case or none. The DPP, in some events, may render the file as inadequate and this would result to the natural death of such a case. All this could be avoided if both departments are under the same confinement. Therefore, because of this specialized nature, I think it’s better for the anti-graft agency to retain both investigative and prosecutorial powers, since that is the essence of its creation. This would create a strong synergy and enable them carry out consultation easily and effectively. For months, the EFCC’s seizure powers raised dust when it wielded it against a sitting governor. How would you describe the agency in view of its powers to confiscate and forfeit proceeds of corruption? Sitting governors enjoy immunity only from prosecution, but not from investigation. So, if an allegation is made against any incumbent governor, or is being mentioned in the

investigation of other crimes, then nothing forbids an anti-graft agency like EFCC from carrying out investigation. In fact, a long time ago, the court also pronounced same; that sitting governors can be investigated for the sake of acquiring evidence but cannot be prosecuted while still in office. Hence, such evidence becomes relevant for prosecution after the sitting governor vacates such office. Meanwhile, regarding the question of ceasing property, I think the EFCC have some judicial authority to temporarily seize property for the purpose of investigation. In most cases, they obtain court orders as backup to do so. The seizures are not permanent but serve as tactics for preserving evidence from being tampered with by an alleged suspect. For example, if we permit a certain sum of money, which could serve as potential material for prosecution, found in a governor’s account to remain, then it could all be carted away. This would, however, frustrate the future prosecution of such an alleged crime. This also includes landed property which deals with title documents. If those items are not preserved during investigation, they could be transferred to other parties and thereby become unavailable for prosecution, especially when such officers vacate the office. Therefore, this becomes the intrinsic essence of their actions. There has been an unending blame game regarding the probable cause of the economic recession ranging from the past

administration, militancy in the Niger Delta to the past CBN predecessors. How would you reconcile such blames, especially in the light of request for emergency power by President Muhammadu Buhari? First of all, we have to know the true content of the emergency power bill, before we can discuss it extensively. In my understanding, from the information I read from a press release, the president is not seeking an undefined power to unleash his own selfwilled ambitions on the economy. In most situations, we apportion blames to the government for being too slow to take active measures or decisions regarding certain issues. Meanwhile, the laws are there to govern every process or procedure. For instance, award of contracts is done within the confine of the Procurement Act which reveals certain guidelines regarding the procedures to follow. The procedures for award of contract include; a call for tender, obtaining quotations from so many people, advertising and so on. However, what I believe the press statement acknowledges is that some of these things take quite a long process and in some cases, demand immediate actions. For instance, in the case of a building collapse, this might require an immediate action to salvage the situation. But the law does not permit or empower the executive to do so without following prescribed and written procedures. If he persists and acts on the contrary against such laws, he would be accused of contravening the law, which could be tagged as an


Law|INTERVIEW 21

monDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

prosecutorial powers good for EFCC impeachable offence. Therefore, in other to safeguard himself, he needs a suspension or amendment of such provisions to enable him, as president to achieve quick and faster results instead of taking lengthy periods and adhering to voluminous procedures. I presume that this is what the President seeks to achieve with the emergency power bill. The bill will aid in taking cogent decisions, implementing certain economic measures that set us on the part of growth and redeem us from the incessant problem of recession. Therefore, quick decision has to be made and we require the law to empower the president or any office holder, to take such steps promptly without having to go through lengthy processes which might frustrate decision making, although my opinion is in line with the little information I derived from the press release. Meanwhile, the issues regarding the blame game, we all know that the present crises and sufferings are the consequences of the errors of several years. We can’t just limit it to the immediate past administrations; it also delves into the ministries, including the civil service commission and military regime. It encompasses the failure of taking wrong decisions for the deliberate sabotage of defined processes, and that exactly, is what the country is suffering from. For example, the idea of awarding contracts without implementing them and catering away with the money, swindling money meant for public affairs into private pockets. Everyone has in one way or another, contributed to the failure of the system. The country must realize that this is a continuous systemic failure that was developed over the years. And in order to reverse this trend, we must take hard measures and prompt decisions. At this point, this is where the economic emergency power, if given to the president, might be useful or assist us in solving the thwarting recession. Although the federal government has denied plan to sell some of the nation’s assets to reflate the dwindling economy, would you see the selling of assets as one of the best options to revive the economy? National assets has been sold in the past, what was the effect or benefit of such sales, especially commercially viable assets? What did we lose out of selling them? Nigerian Liquefied natural Gas (NLNG), for example, is not just solely owned by the government, though it has substantial interest within, other private companies like SHELL has interest too. What the advocators are saying is that the government’s interest should be ceded away to private terms. That’s so absurd, with due respect to those concerned. We all know that NLNG, after the last administration, even though I can’t measure to what extent it has contributed to the economy in the past years, has

paid heavily into the federal purse in billions of both naira and dollars. It has assisted in raising the financial account of the government. What happens if we now sell it off ? What would be the monetary value of the shares when sold off ? How much derivatives could be obtained? And for how long would that sustain the country? If this asset is paying off strongly, why must it now be sold because of a temporary, miniature issue? However, there may be some dormant assets that are not making effective, positive wave on the financial system. For example, we have a number of fleets of aircrafts, though not exact with the number or for what course or purpose. Most of them are not serviceable. But we can deduce its importance by strategically defining the exact number the President or his aides really require in order to move around on short notice and safely too, since we cannot afford to jeopardize with the safety of our leaders. But some of the excesses could be disposed of. We could also review some of the assets which are of little or have no major economic value, and sell them to generate funds. On the contrary, with my experience which spanned 31 years as a civil servant and having functioned in the managing of federal government corporations, I have witnessed with disdain the nonexistence of sectors such as the Nigerian railways, National Insurance Corporation, the Nigeria Airways, Nigerian Shipping Lines etc., when one looks back and realizes that these great sectors and companies no longer exist, you would weep for Nigeria. Most nations of the world have national carriers, not to mention the British Airways. Even America has Airways. Where is the Nigerian Airways? You don’t just close your eyes and sell off national institutions simply because of some selfish interests. When the Nigerian Airways and Shipping Lines were sold, what did we achieve or generate with the money? Is that the same thing we want to replicate now? I would rather affirm that if there is anything we must do to retrieve or bring them back, then we strictly must and not to destroy the efficient ones we are meant to preserve and improve upon. Rather, those that are not of commercial value, functioning as liabilities, could be sold in lieu. It’s so shameful that at this point, Nigeria being the largest exporters of crude oil cannot boast of an effective and productive refinery. However, rather than preserve the already existing ones, we advocate for it to be sold. My question is this, to whom would these assets be sold off to? The ones which had been sold to private individuals, have they been maintained and managed properly? There’s an Ajaokuta steel Mill and for the past 30 to 35 years of pumping in money therein, Nigeria is yet to obtain or produce a rod of steel from it. The essence at the time, was to migrate from the manufacturing

Present crises and sufferings are the consequences of the errors of several years. We can’t just limit it to the immediate past administrations

Adetola-Kazeem

of papers and so on, into the production of equipment, especially steel. But Nigerians made it impossible for that place to function. Can’t we think on advancement, instead of clamoring to remain perpetual importers? The Nigerian Airways, at the time, was the largest employer of labour during which my commission, in the 70s, was responsible for their staff administration. This was when the civil service was employing about 30 thousand people while the Nigerian Railway Corporation was employing about 35 thousand. People systematically killed the railways. Now they want to bring it back! Do you know what it cost to resuscitate such? Even the roads that we are constructing are not designed for the loads that it is carrying. Most of those roads could have been fitted for the railways but some people destroyed it to fit into their personal businesses. However, I think that most of these ideas are selfish and we must trade circumspectly in receiving them. What do you think can be done to arrest the trend of conflicting judgements in the judiciary besides probe of judges involved by the NJC? There are two different scenarios, but I think the common one is the situation where cases filed within the same court, like Federal High Court, are conducting proceedings because of the same issues. I am sometimes marveled, because the counsel involved in such cases could highlight such as an abuse of court processes. For instance, if someone has commenced a proceeding in a court, any court at all, between the same parties, on the same subject matter, in respect of the same issue and someone else even any of those parties, goes to any court to start another proceeding. The first and immediate thing a lawyer, who knows about the existence of the old case, is to raise an objection that the latter is in contradiction because the current action is an

abuse of court process. Even a day old lawyer knows that the law does not accommodate multiplicity of proceedings. That’s the reason I am amazed when I hear that there exist scenarios where same cases proceed in different courts simultaneously. That is purely criminal. Someone should object to that and the judge in charge of the case should entertain such objection and rule on it. Therefore, any court which receives such objection and still insists on proceedings errs in its dealings. Hence, such a judge is liable to disciplinary actions. Same penalty also serves for lawyers. But talking of conflicting judgments; judges might see matters differently, which is not inherently unheard of. They can see things differently and come to diverse conclusions. But the point is that whatever conclusion or judgment a judge proffers, must be supported by law and the facts before him. Let’s assume that the Court of Appeal had given a ruling on a certain matter which is quite similar to the one before the judge or there are authorities or decisions of the higher courts- which is called judicial precedent. It is bound to accept it, whether or not it appeals to him. Even the Court of Appeal has no say in a matter which has been decided by the Supreme Court. And in the same manner goes to the High Courts over the decisions of the appellate courts. Although you can distinguish cases if there are distinguishing factors, for example; considering the rule of law in a particular jurisdiction, say Abia State which would be different from the rule of law in Lagos State. Hence, that decision would not necessarily be binding. Even lawyers can distinguish cases in their arguments. But once the disparities are not evident, the court is bound to follow the principles of precedent. Also, in the rule of law, certainty is one of its major ingredients. And if there is no certainty in the decision of the court, where then lies the fate of the society? It would definitely lead to anarchy. The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) retires next month. What is your assessment of his tenure especially as he said he’s leaving the office better than he met it? The claim is the basic aspiration of any office holder or human being. That is, leaving the world much better than we met it. Society must improve and its advancement is dependent on human beings. The former CJN, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar would also say that she had done a lot, and she did a lot to improve on what she met on ground. So if Justice Mahmoud Mohammed says he has improved on the judiciary, then such claims cannot be negated or denied. This is simply because Justice Aloma couldn’t have finished everything and there are evidently, certain areas that still require to be improved upon, which I think Justice Mohammed did. Therefore, I certainly have no dispute with his claims or his tenure. However, in terms of disciplinary measure where some judges were removed from offices, he quite made a mark to drive and promote discipline in the judiciary.


22 Law

monDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FoI: Tackling reprisal against whistleblowers C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 9

enacted the FoI Act in 2011 has till date never submitted a FoI annual report to the AGF since the law was passed. “As an oversight institution that receives FoI report made by public institutions through the AGF, it has become questionable whether the National Assembly has the legitimacy to hold any public institution accountable for non-compliance.” The report noted further that there was a decline in the submission of FoI annual reports by public institutions to the AGF. While 60 institutions of 800 submitted such report to the AGF in 2015, only 44 submitted in 2016. Consequently, the group is urging President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Head of Civil Service to ensure compliance with the law, saying that it would help his fight against corruption tremendously. Lawyers speak A cross-section of lawyers who spoke with New Telegraph Law expressed displeasure that the legislation is yet to serve its intended purpose of putting information that will help in the monitoring of government’s activities within the reach of citizens. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Gani Adetola-Kazeem, while speaking on the issue, said Nigerians attitude with regards to seeking information must be changed for the Act to be effective. He said: “I think that it is the perception of Nigerians. If things are straightened out, you can apply for a particular information or document from any authority which you are entitled to get and if you are not given, then you can proceed to court. You can seek an order of mandamus for court to compel them to release the document. “I think human rights activists in the country would do a lot better to enlighten and aid the masses if they truly want improvement in this regard. For instance, I am aware that for a very long time, salaries and allowances held by administrators were being shrouded in secrecy. I am not sure if they are now known. This has been happening and nobody could do anything about it because information about the issue is treated as being private and confidential and therefore could not be released to the public. “This action is purely unconstitutional because once you surrender yourselves to any public property or office, there ceases to be any form of privacy. I think Nigerians must stand up to embrace their rights.” A former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) vice-president, Mr. Adekunle Ojo in his views noted that even though the law was not as effective as it should be, it had indeed been enforced under certain circumstances. He said: “The law has not been effective as expected, but we would not say that it has not been enforced under certain circumstances where those in charge of information gave it out when they believe that it would not be inimical. If you recollect, when there

Ojo

Adegboruwa

were agitations over whether or not, the Chief of Army Staff, General Buratai, owns property outside the shores of Nigeria, a lawyer just applied for information on the issue based on the Freedom of Information Act and he was granted the desired piece of information by the army. “However, there were so many instances where requests were made but were never granted by those-in-charge. Besides, the secrecy that has always been the bane of the civil service has also not left the place. Civil servants still find it difficult to divulge information to people. “People were seeking information because of lack of probity and accountability in this clime. In decent societies, you don’t even need to start seeking information. This is because the processes are already there. These processes will give a step by step account of everything. For instance, in a bidding process, you already know what to do. You already know how much to pay for the process and where you are paying the money to. The transparency is almost without fault in such countries unlike what attains in Nigeria where all manner of atrocities are committed with pleasure. So, when the process is transparent, the task of seeking for information will be easy and almost effortless.

President Muhammadu Buhari must compel Head of Civil Service to ensure FoI compliance if war against corruption must succeed

Mumuni

Malachy

“But people should not lose hope, they should keep on seeking for information and if they are denied, they have every right to go to court. Then, let everyone that feels he need information go for it. A good number of Nigerians are too timid to ask for information. What I also found out was that the lack of awareness about the Act might not be unconnected with high illiteracy level among our people and the fact that most Nigerians cannot afford to spend their hard earned money in search of information. “At times, you might need to spend money to acquire certain information but most of the time, it is either that it is not affordable or there is no money to spend. Besides, the scarcity of public interest oriented lawyers does not help matters; we now have less of people of the likes of the late legal icon, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) who are always at the forefront of fighting for the masses. Above all, the law has to be domesticated by states in their various domains for it to have a replicating effect.” Executive Director of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni blamed the non-effectiveness of the Act on inadequate publicity which had left many Nigerians in the dark. Mumuni said: “It is more than five years that the Act was promulgated but I want to say that it has

not been given the much needed publicity. The level of awareness about the Act among Nigerians is abysmally low. This has occasioned the under-utilisation of its advantages. This brings to mind the fact that overwhelming majority of our people are not informed in the sense of being a literate. The question is, what has government done to popularize the contents and provisions of the Freedom of Information Act by jingles on radio and television so that Nigerians will be in the know of its existence? This is a major reason why the Act has been ineffective. “Besides, it seems those of us that are even aware of the Act were too laid back. We want to leave all issues to the press, non-governmental organisations and some public spirited individuals. That is not the way it is done. Nigeria citizens must own that Act and be ready to demand accountability through it because this is the essence of the Act in the first place. In a democracy, there can be no opaqueness. Opaqueness and democracy are antithetical principal. The reason for the Act is for transparency and accountability but we are not asking the right questions. India is operating similar Act and inspite of the massive population of the country, the poor people in India makes use of the Freedom of Information Act for almost everything under the sun. The people put the India FOI Act to test to the extent that the prime minister was accusing them of abusing it. What I am saying in essence is that whether or not a legislation will do the work it is meant to do will depend largely on its usage by the people. Nigerians have not been putting the FOI Act to the desired test. This is because it is in the constant testing of the legislation that we can know its effectiveness. “The other thing is that the orientation of the civil servants concerning the oath of secrecy has not changed. They have forgotten that within the bowels of the FOI Act lies a Section that says ‘this law overrides the Official Secrets Act’. Unfortunately, the civil servants are still afraid and doing as if the FOI Act is not in existence. They are still doing things in old ways and I want to put the blame on those in government. In fact, they need to do more sensitization awareness for civil servants to know that things must not continue like before. I want to urge Nigerians to always put the government to task by asking the necessary questions to make the country a better place for all of us. “Besides, when there was a request for information on any issue and it was not granted within the seven days permitted by the law, I think Section 20 of the Act says one can go to court in order to compel anyone in charge of the information to release it. We at the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has done that repeatedly. For example, we have demanded to know what has been happening to all the recovered loots since 1999. The matter started in 2011 and we succeeded in getting judgement on February 4, 2016. Up till now, government has not complied with the judgement. That is the problem. The court directed all government since 1999 to give an account of what has C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 4


Law|News 23

monDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Dasuki’s tortuous journey to freedom TUNDE OYESINA writes on former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki’s tortuous journey to freedom

N

otwithstanding the verdict by the ECOWAS court which had compelled his release from detention over charges of corruption, the immediate National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, may still remain in custody. Reason: The ECOWAS court’s order may not bind on the Federal Government even though the government is a signatory to ECOWAS treaty. The treaty is not superior to the nation’s constitution as it was yet to be domesticated by an Act of the National Assembly. The travails of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki had continued to linger, even as the Federal Government had at the last adjourned date again failed to produce him in one of the courts where the former NSA is facing trial. The ex-NSA is facing trial over alleged illegal possession of firearms and diversion of funds meant for the procurement of arms before three different courts. First, Dasuki is standing trial on a five-count charge of money laundering involving about N84.6m and illegal possession of firearms before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja. He was granted bail by the court on self-recognizance. The second case involving Dasuki is one in which he is being tried with an ex- Director of Finance and Administration in the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu and former Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu BabaKusa in a 19 count-charge bordering on criminal diversion of funds. In this charge, Dasuki, Salisu, Baba-Kusa and two companies – Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited were charged with conspiracy and criminal breach of trust under the Penal Code Act and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act. The trial judge, Justice Baba-Yusuf admitted each of them to bail in a ruling on December 18, 2015 at N250m with one surety. In the third case, Dasuki is being tried along with former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, a former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, his son and firm Sagir Attahiru and Dalhatu Investment Limited and former Director of Finance and Administration in the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu in a 22-count charge of alleged diversion of over 20 billion. The trial judge, Justice Peter Affen also on December 21 last year, granted bail to each of them at N250m with two sureties. Although, Dasuki had pleaded not guilty to all the charges, the various courts which had, one time or the other, admitted him to bail. Having perfected his bail, however, the Department of State Services (DSS) re-arrested Dasuki and kept him in its custody since December last year. Every effort to secure his release by his counsel had proved abortive. Dasuki had in a bid to secure his freedom approached the Court of Appeal, but he was asked to return to the lower court to face his trial. Dissatisfied, Dasuki went ahead to the ECOWAS court where he presented his case based on the breach

of his fundamental human rights to freedom. At the court, the Federal Government had opposed the application brought by Dasuki on the grounds that Dasuki was being kept in the custody for his own good. The court last week ruled in his favour. Coming back to the High Court, Dasuki had severally through his counsel, J.B Daudu (SAN) sought to quash the charge against him, but all his applications have always been turned down by the court. Frustrated with the way the trial is going, Dasuki at a point cried out that he was being persecuted because he offended some powers that be, long time ago while he was in the army. He however added that he handed such people over to God. Dasuki’s matter is one that has dragged so much since it started last year. The matter is still at the preliminary stage in all the three courts, with no hope in sight as to when the matter will end. The matter had been stalled severally at the instance of the prosecution, either by not bringing the defendant to court or other means. The latest was when the Federal Government last week again refused to produce Dasuki in Court to continue with his trial. The trial had experienced the same trend before the court went on vacation. In the instant charge, the former NSA is standing trial on charges of money laundering and a breach of trust filed against him by the Federal Government. Dasuki who was charged along with five others before Justice Peter Affen was granted bail when he was first arraigned but re-arrested and had been kept in custody of the Department of the State Service (DSS) since December 2015. Charged alongside Dasuki in the present suit are a former Director of Finance in the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, a former Finance Minister of State, Bashir Yuguda; a former Sokoto Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, the ex-governor’s son, Sagir Attahiru, and a firm, Dalhatu Investment. At the last adjourned date, counsel to the Federal Government, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) informed the judge that he was surprised that Dasuki who was the second defendant in the charge was not brought to court by the federal government. The counsel explained that on his part, he notified the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the trial and the need to produce Dasuki in court but regretted that communication gap between the EFCC and DSS was responsible for non-production of the former NSA in court. Jacobs consequently applied to Justice Affen to stand down the case for him to enable his client to produce Dasuki in court but however he could not give a definite time within which the EFCC would bring the ex-NSA to court. The action of the prosecution provoked reactions from Chief Olajide Ayodele (SAN) counsel to former Minister of State for Finance, Mallam Bashir Yuguda who vehemently opposed the request of Rotimi Jacobs for stand down on the grounds that the request if granted would not serve any

Dasuki

The ECOWAS court’s order may not bind on the Federal Government even though the government is a signatory to ECOWAS treaty

useful purpose. He added that the failure of the prosecution to give a definite time within which Dasuki can be brought to court by either EFCC or DSS was an indication that he has no knowledge of what was transpiring between the EFCC and DSS on the matter. Olajide therefore pleaded with the court to grant adjournment in the trial as a better option so as not to keep the court and the lawyers waiting till eternity. The position of the counsel was adopted by counsel to Dasuki, Joseph Daudu (SAN). Daudu however regretted that the government which put the Ex-NSA on trial was the one scuttling the trial. Daudu further noted that since June 2016 when the matter was adjourned, the EFCC which initiated the trial on behalf of the Federal Government ought to have known that it has responsibility to produce Dasuki in Court as required by the law. Counsel to Bafarawa, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) also opposed the request for stand down of the case without a definite time and pleaded for an adjournment. Counsel to other defendants, Dr. Kayode Olatoke (SAN) and Akeem Afolabi (SAN) respectively prayed the court for an adjournment. However in his ruling, on the stand down application,the trial judge, Justice Affen agreed that it would be unfair to stand down the case without being giving the definite time within which Dasuki could be produced in court. The court however urged the Federal Government to always do the needful to help the prosecution counsel by ensuring regular attendance of the Ex-NSA in court. He later adjourned till October 21. At the early stage of the trial, President Muhammadu Buhari during his first media chat answering to one of the questions posed to him on the continued detention of Dasuki in disregard to court orders, said his government could not afford to release him because the magnitude of the charges against him was too grievous. This was further buttressed at the last adjourned date when the Federal Government refused to bring Dasuki to court again on the basis of lack communication between the EFCC and DSS. Commenting on the continual detention of Dasuki, some senior lawyers who bare their minds on the issue disagreed with the President on the matter, saying the posiºtion he took was offensive to the tenets of constitutional democracy, rule of law and presumption of innocence of an accused person. They however advised the President to, in future, allow the Attorney Gen-

eral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, (SAN), to handle such topics on behalf of the government. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mahmud Magaji stated, “going by provisions of our extant constitution, the presumption is that a person charged to court for whatever offence, is innocent until guilt is established. “Unless I am told that the constitution was amended last night. That you level an accusation on someone does not make the person guilty automatically. If it is so, why then are the courts there? What we are practicing is constitutional democracy. Another senior lawyer, Chief Joe Agi, (SAN), “It will be totally wrong to refuse to release someone on bail in the absence of any pending allegation. “No matter how strongly one feels about the culpability of any accused person, once an order has been made, the Executive is bound to obey. “Even if you have other crime allegation against an accused, you must first of all respect an order for bail, and maybe re-arrest the person later to answer to the fresh charge”. A constitutional lawyer and rights activist, Donald Obue, said the FG is in breach of the constitutional right of the defendant by refusing to bring him court to face his trial. According to him, “No matter the number of allegations against an accused person, once the matter has been charged before a competent court, that court assumes powers to determine whether or not the person is guilty or not. The prosecution cannot sit down some where to determine the fate of the accused person. That is exactly what the FG is doing now. “Court orders are made to be obeyed, if not, it becomes impunity. No matter the gravity of the offence, an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Proper investigation ought to have been conducted and concluded before a person is charged. Re-arresting someone immediately after the court has granted such person bail makes mockery of our democracy which is presumably anchored on the rule of law and separation of powers,” he added Also commenting, another lawyer and right activist, Innocent Ohakhire stated that the excuse given by the prosecution for not bringing the defendant to court is not tenable at all. “The duration of the adjournment was long enough for the prosecution to make proper communication. For the prosecution to come and give excuse on lack of communication is nothing but a calculated plan to frustrate the defendant,” he stated.


24 Law|news

monDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Court rejects contempt charge against OGSIEC boss Stories by Akeem Nafiu

34-year old cobbler, Ganiu Anjorin and a 22-year old accomplice, Opeyemi Suarau, have been arraigned by the police before Magistrate A.O. Soladoye of an Igbosere magistrate’s court over alleged stealing of N11.4 million. The duo were docked on a three count charge of conspiracy and stealing. They however pleaded not guilty to the charge while a lawyer to the second defendant, Oluwaseyi Onikoyi, urged the court to grant his client bail in liberal

J

ustice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos has refused to entertain an ex-parte application by two of the Executive Committee of the Ogun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to serve a contempt charge on the Chairperson of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Alhaja Riskat Ogunfemi, by substituted means. The two committee members, Chief Adebayo Dayo and Semiu Sodipo, has slammed contempt charge on the OGSIEC Chairperson and six others for allegedly disobeying an order of the court. Other alleged contemnors are; Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Mutiu Agboke, Chief Akinlota, Alhaji Lawal, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele and Tolu Bankole. The judge in rejecting the application opted to hear the preliminary objection filed by the alleged contemnors against the suit. Hearing of the objection has been fixed for November 1. Dayo and Semiu Sodipo are suing for themselves and on behalf of Ogun PDP’s executive committee. The Independent National Electoral Com-

Cobbler, maid docked over N11.4m theft A terms. They were later granted bail by the magistrate in the sum of N1million each with two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties, according to Magistrate Soladoye, must be a civil servant while the other must be a blood relation gainfully employed in a reputable organisation The matter has been adjourned to November 9. Earlier the prosecutor, Inspector Jimoh Joseph, had informed the court that the de-

fendants who lives at Ikorodu and Mushin area of Lagos respectively allegedly conspired to commit the offence between February and July 2016 at 47 Dosumu Street, Lagos Island. Joseph alleged that Anjorin stole N11million while Suarau stole N400, 000, all property of a business woman, Mrs. Omobola Akintoye. The offence is punishable under Sections 409 and 285 (7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

Police arraign man for assaulting lawyer

Auta

mission (INEC), PDP, factional Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, the faction’s Secretary, Prof Wale Oladipo, Tunde Alekuwodo and the Inspector General of Police are the defendants in the substantive suit. The applicants had on September 30, commenced committal proceedings against Ogunfemi and others over allegation of aiding and abetting the alleged commission of contempt by the defendants. The PDP executives said the alleged contemnors recognised another fac-

tion of the PDP and its lists of candidates while the suit was pending. However, the alleged contemnors had in a notice of preliminary objection filed through their lawyer, Wahab Ismail, said the applicants “have failed woefully” to fulfill the conditions precedent before initiating the committal proceedings. They argued that the motion for committal was not served on them and that they were not parties to the suit that produced the order relied upon in the committal application.

T

he police have arraigned a 45year old man, Eloho Ekene, before Magistrate Joy Ugbomoiko of an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court for allegedly assaulting a lawyer and destroying property worth N2.7million. The accused person, a resident of 147A Ogunlana drive Surulere area of Lagos State was docked on a two count charge of assault and unlawful damage. He however pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail on self recognisance.

The magistrate admitted the accused person to bail on self recoginsance because his lawyer informed the court that he lives in the same house with the complainant. Magistrate Ugbomoiko however directed that the accused person’s residential address must be verified by the court’s registrar. The matter has been adjourned to October 17. Prosecutor Supol Eshiet Eshiet had earlier informed the court that the defendant committed the alle ged of fence on

July 27, at about 1pm, at 147A Ogunlana drive Surulere Lagos. He alleged that the accused person assaulted Barrister Ben Ibeke, by beating him with fist blow all over his body. T he prosecutor also accused the defendant of unlawfully damaging chairs, tables, books and other equipment valued at N2.7million, all property of Barr. Ben Ibeke &Co. The offence is said to be punishable under Sections 170 and 348 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

‘Blame oath of secrecy for defective FoI’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 2

been happening to all recovered loot since 1999. You can see that the judiciary is also not helping matters. The way the judiciary considers matters coming under the freedom of information leaves much to be desired. However, in the FOI Act, it is stated that any application filed pursuant to this Act must be heard expeditiously. So, what we are saying is that the attitude of judicial officers to applications filed pursuant to the FOI Act will have to change if the law must be effective. This will also mean that the summary nature encouraged by the statute will be taken care of. However, the overriding issue is for the government of the day to constantly remind government officials through jingles, posters and what have you that there are consequences for anyone that refuse to supply information requested for pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. The statute spelt out sanctions for anyone who runs foul of the law”. Also speaking on the issue, a lawyer and rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, while expressing his displeasure at the ineffectiveness of the Freedom of Information Act noted that its spirit has been destroyed by governors who have refused blatantly to adopt it in their various states. He said, “The Freedom of Information Act was meant to facilitate the concept of

whistle blower in Nigeria. It is also aimed at throwing government activities open for the people to follow. However, that spirit has been destroyed by governors who have refused to domesticate it in their states. As it is now, it is only a federal law that can only be applicable to federal agencies and institutions, especially at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja. The FOI Act cannot be used in the states to get information. So, it is for Nigerians to put pressure on the various governors who are holding the House of Assembly under hostage to be able to adopt the Act and throw the space open for people to be carried along to allow them know about the activities and plans of government. “We are in a system that is totally shrouded in mystery. Nigerians are not aware of most government activities. Besides, most of the time, information that we get from public officials are halftruth. Therefore, it is highly expedient that Nigerians must have the opportunity to question, unravel and use the FOI Act to hold government accountable to the masses. I also think that it is highly necessary that activists should call the governors to order. Legal options should also be explored to ensure that States Houses of Assembly passed the FOI Act. This is because as it is now, it is in limbo. “The second issue for the ineffective-

ness of the Act is that deliberately, officials of government are not co-operating with the spirit of the legislation. Under Sections 1 and 5 of the Act, Nigerians are supposed to use the law to make requests while these officials are to answer to the requests. But, the reverse has always been the case. These officials will wait for you to go to court and waste your time. However, due to the slow pace of our justice system, nothing is achieved by litigants. The ineffectiveness of the judicial system in the country is now being used to scuttle moves at getting information through the FOI Act. So, the sad commentary is that government officials are not complying and they will not attend to the query at taking them to court knowing fully well that they will always file preliminary objections to delay the hearing of the matter in court. “I also believed that if the law is in place at the various states, it will be effective because by then, it would have been closer to the people. It can also be applied even in local governments.” A lawyer and National President of the Centre for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Malachy Ugwumadu, in his submissions premised the ineffectiveness of the Act on high degree of people’s ignorance and the refusal of states to domesticate it in their domain. He said, “There are a number of con-

cerns over the Act. Firstly, there is an high degree of ignorance about the law on the part of the public. Many people are not aware that there is such a law as the Freedom of Information Act. Even, the critical mass that is aware does not believe in it. Secondly, there is the issue of domesticating of the law by states of the federation. Don’t forget that the bill is an act of the National Assembly. So, it is only applicable to federal agencies and institutions. Most often than not when you have a similar concern within the precincts of a state or local government, they seek an alibi that they are not obliged to release such information. The third concern is the general disposition of state actors to continually rely and be guided by the colonial mentality of the Official Secret Act. This is the old law that gives them some latitude to keep most of their activities secret. These are some of the ways by which the Act is suffering a lot of hiccups. “But above all, it cannot be discountenanced that the law is a progressive one that was meant to guarantee transparency and accountability in governance. I want to believe that was why it took those in charge so long to pass the law, knowing fully well that it is a revolution, highly desirable and one that masses need to participate in the affairs of the state.”


25

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Insurance Compulsory Insurance: Taking advantage of FG’s green light

Business What's new E-payment: Value of PoStransactions hit N432bn

Interview ‘Govt failing in meeting social housing demand’

30 34

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE August 2016..........................17.61% July 2016................................17.13% June 2016..............................16.5%

LENDING RATE Interbank Rate....................12.57% Prime Lending Rate...........17.93% Maximum Lending Rate...26.83%

EXCHANGE RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parallel Market October 7)

(Interbank as at October 7)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N474 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N595 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N512

l Foreign Reserves – $24.420bn as at4/10/2016

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N304 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N385 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N340

Source: CBN

p.26

L-R: Executive Chairman, Phillips Consulting, Mr. Foluso Phillips; Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman and a financial analyst, Mr. Tilewa Adebajo, after a live appearance on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)’s Good Morning Nigeria Show.

Forex: Nigeria’s sugar imports drop to N182.1bn p.26

Concession: Uncertainty trails China’s $500m airport projects MIXED REACTIONS While some stakeholders hailed the planned concession, others doubt its workability

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Wole Shadare

U

ncertainty has continued to trail the status of the $500 million airport terminals that are under construction in four major airports across the country. The doubts are fuelled by insinuations that the four terminals expected to be commissioned early next year had already been concessioned to Chinese firms. This arrangement could pose a huge hindrance to the plan by government to start a fresh round of concession of the four airports that are expected to be commissioned early next year. A former Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, told New Telegraph that the new concession policy, which government is pursuing, could hit the rock unless government makes concerted efforts to resolve the alleged concession to the Chinese firm that are said to be constructing the facilities. He described it as “concession in-

side a concession,” an idea, he said, might not augur well for what government was trying to go ahead with. Demuren warned that airport concession would not work in an atmosphere of political interference and absence of good corporate governance. Specifically, he said that he was worried about how government’s handling of previous concessions had resulted in litigations. His words: “I am really worried about concession of the four major airports. Don’t get me wrong. It is the best way to go, but we must be clear about the concession to the Chinese who are building terminals in the four major airports. What happens to the concession? Are we going to have concession in a concession? This is not too clear and we need to be careful about what we are concessioning.” But, a source in the Ministry of Transportation, who spoke to New Telegraph on condition of anonymity, said he was now aware of concessioning the terminals to the Chines as part of the deal for the loan. The source disclosed that the 20year, 2.5 per cent interest loan for the project has a grace period of seven years before payment. Nigeria and China had, four years ago, signed a $500 million loan pact for the construction of the four new international airport terminals in Abuja and three states. The other three locations for new the terminals are Lagos, Port Har-

$1.4 billion Being the total exposure of Nigerian airlines to the banking industry

court and Kano. Chinese construction giant, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which is handling the contracts, assured it would deliver the four new terminals in March 2015. The project was expected to have been completed a year ago, but Nigeria’s default in paying her own counterpart funding had helped to delay the project. The loans reflect the deepening economic ties between oil-rich Nigeria and China, which already is involved in building major road and railway projects in the country. However, similar deals with China have fallen apart amid corruption allegations, problems that persist today and could potentially put this new deal at risk as well. Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, at a recent stakeholders’ forum where he unveiled the vision of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to transform the aviation sector, stirred the hornet’s nest about the planned concessioning of the four airports that are regarded as the viable airports in the country out of 22 airports that are managed by government. Sirika explained that the four airports would serve as the pilot phase of the airport concessioning stage while the remaining 18 airports CONTINUED ON PAGE 26


26

BUSINESS |news

TRACTION Electronic payments are gaining traction, ostensibly because of increased confidence in the system and reduction in e-fraud Kunle Azeez

N

igeria’s electronic payment industry continues to gain consistent traction as overall transactions on Point of Sales (PoS) terminals in the country rose to N431.976 billion this year, New Telegraph has gathered. The transaction value recorded between January and August this year far surpassed the PoS transactions value recorded in the first eight months of 2014 and 2015, according to analysis of the latest e-payment industry status report released by the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS). According to the data obtained by this newspaper, the PoS transaction value recorded in August was the highest ever since cashless policy was introduced into the country in 2012. The deals were executed on over 60,000 PoS active terminals deployed by merchants in the country, though over 140 terminals have been registered in the country. According to the details of the study, in January, February, March and April, this year, PoS transactions were valued at N46.65 billion, N46.14 billion, N51.96 billion and N53.28 billion respectively. In May, the monthly PoS transaction figures rose to N55.136 billion, N55.292 billion in June and by the end of July, the figure was N59.397 billion. At the end of August, which is the latest data in the country, the value of PoS transaction stood at N64.106 billion. Analysts say Nigeria has recorded more impressive transactions between January and August, this year, than the

Uncertainty trails China’s $500m airport projects CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

would follow suit in the nearest future. According to him, the concessioning is a deliberate policy towards bridging infrastructural deficit in the nation’s airports. The minister, who gave a graphic picture of the extent of damage of Abuja Airport runway, showing cracks and ditches, assured that the infrastructural challenges in the nation’s aerodromes would be a thing of the past. While some experts and stakeholders hailed the move as a bold step towards saving cost by government in the face of the current financial quagmire, others doubt the workability of the plan, arguing that Nigerian airports are not ripe for concessioning.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

E-payment: Value of PoS transactions hits N432bn Highest charge recorded in August

transaction value recorded during the same seven-month period in 2014 and 2015. For instance, this newspaper’s analysis of NIBSS data showed that in 2015, PoS transaction value stood at N 273.707 billion as against N431.9 billion this year, representing growth of over 60 per cent above last year’s figure. In January 2015, PoS transactions stood at N31.7 billion; in February, the transaction was N30.9 billion and by March, the figure increased to N33.5 billion monthly. Also in April, May and June, the value of PoS transactions executed by some of the 42 million Automated Teller Machine (ATM) holders-carrying bank customers stood at N34.6 billion; N35.9 billion and N34 billion respectively.

The PoS transactions increased to N36.9 billion in July, but slightly dropped to N35.8 billion in August and regained its growth momentum in September with transaction seating at N39.6 billion. The country recorded its highest PoS transaction volume and value in the last quarter of 2015 with transactions standing at N41.5 billion, N40.2 billion and N53.4 billion in October, November and December respectively. Further analysis of the report showed that PoS recorded an average of N1.5 billion daily transactions throughout last year. The report indicates that the cardholders are doing more transactions on the PoS terminals across the country, a development, which experts

have linked to increased public confidence in the e-payment system. Commenting on the figure, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN), Mrs. Regha Onajite, said: “More and more people are beginning to be more aware of the importance and efficiency of adopting an electronic payment platform such as PoS for payment when they go shopping.” She, however, advocated increased awareness among private and public sectors to deepen electronic payment transaction adoption in the country. According to the report, while there are 141, 787 PoS registered terminals, only 119,126 have been deployed while less

than 100 of the deployed are actually being used for services. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had set a 350,000 PoS deployment target for the country but has not been able to achieve this auspicious target, in spite of the increase in the number of Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSPs) licensed. PTSPs are the companies licensed by the apex bank to deploy PoS terminals for merchants on behalf of the banks. The idea of PTSP was conceived to allow the banks to focus on their core banking services without bothering themselves with the deployment of PoS for merchants. Till date, no fewer than 19 terminal operators have been licensed by the banking watchdog to deepen cashless economy in the country.

L-R: Director, Legal Services, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mrs. Anastasia Gbem; President, Association of Foreign Airlines Representative of Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Nwokoma and former Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, at the Aviation Transaction Integrity Summit, by the Aviation Monitor Limited, in Lagos. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Forex: Nigeria’s sugar imports drop to N182.1bn EXPANDING Nigeria’s sugar demand has been growing due to the country’s bottled soda industry Bayo Akomolafe

S

ugar imports from United States to Nigeria plunged from N233.1 billion ($752 million) to N182.1 billion ($585.5 million) in the first six months of 2016. According to a report from Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN), Nigeria’s sugar importation dropped from 1.6 million metric tons to 1.25 million metric tons in the first six months of the year. It was learnt that importers had been facing the challenge of securing foreign exchange to ship the commodity into the country due to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s policy on foreign exchange. Sugar is on the list of 41 items stopped recently by the apex

bank from receiving foreign exchange from official market. Currently, the price of the commodity is $470 per metric ton. Despite the crash in the importation, it was learnt that the country’s domestic sugar production remains relatively flat at 70,000 tons, as production has been trending downward, due to poor infrastructure and high cost of domestic production compared to imported brown sugar. Even with the June 2015 amendment to National Sugar Development Council Act to further support the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan, Nigeria’s sugar demand has been growing due to Nigeria’s bottled soda industry. It was learnt that about 250,000 hectares of land would be needed for sugarcane cultivation in the next 10 years to meet the country’s demand. The current domestic supply has not met the rising demand in the country despite the incentives offered by the Federal Government to boost local production. Last week, two merchant vessels berthed at Lagos Ports

with 94,500 metric tons of the commodity. While MV Desert Moon was moored at Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited with 48,000 metric tons of sugar, MV Bridge Gate ferried 46,500 metric tons to Greenview Development Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Dangote Group, to the port. Flour Mills of Nigeria, BUA Group and Dangote Group are the country’s three main sugar players. However, Dangote Sugar remains the largest producer with its 70 per cent market share. Meanwhile, the country is expected to import some 2.9 million tons of raw sugar valued at N436.2 billion ($1.36 billion) in 2017. Data obtained by New Telegraph from Index Mundi, a data portal that gathers facts and statistics on imports revealed that some importers had booked 1,430,000 metric tonnes of the product for 2017. However, the portal revealed that the 2017 import would be reduced by 40,000 tons or 2.72 per cent due to forex. Already, government had re-

vised the sugar tariff structure to boost domestic raw sugar production and employment by offering a zero per cent import duty on machinery and spare parts for local sugar manufacturing firms. Also, it has offered a five-year tax holiday for investors in the sugar value chain, 10 per cent import duty and 50 per cent levy on imported raw sugar; 20 per cent duty and 60 per cent levy for imported refined sugar. In addition, a three-year concessionary tariff of five per cent import duty and five per cent levy on imported raw sugar were imposed between 2013 and 2015 on the refineries, which signed-on to Federal Government’s Backward Integration Programme (BIP). But, a study by the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) had revealed that the country would need $1.238 billion to meet 49 per cent or 860,000 metric tons of the total sugar demand by 2020. Nigeria still depends on refined imported raw brown sugar from Brazil worth over $500 million yearly.


MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Movers, Shakers and Appointments

BUA appoints MD for subsidiary

B

UA Group has appointed Ibrahim Yaro as the new managing director for its BUA Sugar Refinery in Lagos. Until his appointment, Yaro according to a statement from the company, was the director of sales at company’s sugar, flour and pasta businesses. Yaro would oversee the day-to-day management of BUA Sugar and the growth phase of the business. BUA Sugar according to the statement, is currently the only sugar producer in Nigeria with refineries in Lagos and Port Harcourt and combined production capacity of 1.44 million metric tons per annum. Yaro has over 20 years experience in sales, marketing and business development spread across the financial and real sectors. He is an alumnus of Bayero University, Kano and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Bayero University, Kano. He has attended several professional and management courses in Nigeria, United Kingdom, United States of America and the United Arab Emirates. Also, Yaro is a fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (ICA Nigeria), member Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), member Chartered Institute of Management of Nigeria (CIMN) and a fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN).

Yaro

Insurance firm hires new CEO

T

he Board of Directors of Unity Kapital Assurance Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Oluyemi Patrick Olatunji as the new managing director and chief executive officer, following the approval of the National Insurance Commission. A statement by the company, said Mr. Oluyemi Patrick Olatunji has developed commendable experience in the insurance industry. “He has held various high level positions in the insurance industry in the course of his career and was a former managing director of Royal Exchange Assurance of Nigeria. “The Board of Directors and management are pleased to have him on Board and Look forward to his input and contribution to the growth of Unity Kapital Olatunji Assurance Plc,” the statement added.

27

Interswitch names new board member, CEO

F

ollowing the acquisition of 100 per cent of the equity in the company by Interswitch Limited, Value Added Network Solutions (VANSO), a nonExecutive Vice Chairman, Constantine ‘Labi Ogunbiyi, has been asked to take up a position on the board of the Interswitch group. Ogunbiyi would be bringing his two decades of strategy, corporate finance and legal experience in Africa to further complement the board’s existing capabilities. Ogunbiyi according to a statement from the company, has served as the chief executive officer of First Hydrocarbon Nigeria Limited. He was the founder and executive director of Afren, where he was responsible for business development, strategy and growth. Also, VANSO’s co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Denis O’Brien, will assume a new role as the CEO for Interswitch’s Digital Payments business. The broader VANSO senior management team would take up senior positions within the Interswitch system. Commenting on the transaction, VANSO’s two executive co-founders, Denis O’Brien and Idris Saliu, said in a joint statement that the mobile banking platform and payments solutions were already integrated with the Interswitch system. The statement added: “We would like to thank Stephen

Farry, our Chief Finance Officer, for his essential work on the structure and delivery of the transaction. We look forward to working with the Interswitch management and board over the coming years.” Remarking on the merging of both entities, Vanso’s chairman and co-founder, Mr. Richard Akerele, said: “I am extremely proud of the Vanso team and all its staff, in building a highly competent technology company. It is a testament to the capability of young Nigerian entrepreneurs who have a vision for our country and belief in themselves. I am a firm believer that the future of Nigeria and Africa rests in the hands of the younger generation, and I am delighted to have had the opportunity to have supported this endeavour since inception.” Also, VANSO’s Vice Chairman, ‘Labi Ogunbiyi, who joined the Interswitch board of directors said: “Having been deeply involved in the emergence of the indigenous Nigerian oil and gas sector, I am extremely excited to have advised on and concluded this transaction, and to be joining the board of the combined entities. I believe that technology has the potential to deliver transformational change in Africa, and be a key driver of future sustainable growth. I look forward to working with the Interswitch leadership team to achieve the potential of the business over the coming years.”

General Electric appoints chair for African advisory council

NAICOM approves CEO for insurance firm

A

Didam

pex regulatory authority for Nigerian insurance industry, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), has approved the appointment of Polycarp Osee Didam as the managing director/chief executive officer of FIN Insurance Company Limited. The approval was conveyed in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company and signed by Mr. Pius Agboola, director (Authorization and Policy) on behalf of the Commissioner for Insurance. Didam is an accomplished professional with over 28 years of experience in the industry. He began his career in 1988 at Commercial Insurance Brokers in Kano/ Kaduna. Between 1991 and 1993, he was Manager (North East Area Office), Afribank Insurance Brokers Company. Also, from 1993 to 1996, Didam was the regional director North (Abuja) of Industrial & General Insurance Company Limited.

Ireland

U

nited States’ Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, has named the President and Chief Executive Officer of General Electric (GE) Africa, Jay Ireland as chair of the second President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA). PAC-DBIA is a small, medium and large companies from a variety of industry sectors—advise the president, through the Secre-

tary of Commerce, on ways to strengthen commercial engagement between the United States and Africa. The appointments were announced in conjunction with the second U.S.-Africa Business Forum. Through partnerships in Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana and Angola, GE supports development agendas in power generation, healthcare, and transportation.


28

BUSINESS |Stock Watch

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Mutual Benefits: Shrinking revenue persists

T

he contribution of insurance sector is critical especially to the ability of emerging and transitional economies such as Nigeria to grow and develop, as well as provide a reliable cover for risk to the citizens. The sector is important because it deepens and broadens the domestic financial services and generates higher savings rates and greater economic development. Challenges However, despite the recapitalisation of insurance firms in 2007, the sector still struggle with challenges such as under capitalisation of existing industry players, dearth of appropriate human capital and professional skills, poor returns on capital, existence of too many fringe players and poor asset quality. Other challenges include prominence of unethical practices, significant corporate governance issues, insurance premium flight, poor business infrastructural facilities, especially in the area of ICT, lack of innovation in product development, lack of awareness on the part of consumers on the uses/suitability of insurance products, low gross domestic product, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), per capita figures and poor corporate governance structures. Despite the daily threat from not only risks emanating from natural disasters such as floods, rainstorms but also that of man-made security risks such as the current threat of Boko Haram, kidnapping and other heinous crimes, which are more compelling reasons why insurance should grow, penetration still remained a huge challenge. Some of these challenges have to do with the culture and the general mindset of people to insurance. This negative perception that trailed the sub-sector has retarded the growth of the industry leading to the inability of majority of the companies in the industry to pay dividend to shareholders for many years. Market watchers attributed the inability of the sub- sector to rise above the nominal level to crisis of confidence. Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc is one of the companies that have got its fair share from the dwindling fortune of the sub-sector. The company is among the insurance firms that have remained at nominal level in share price due to dwindling fortune in financials following investors’ low sentiments. The group had ended the financial year 2015 in the negative note, as the year saw a drop of 76 per cent in profit after tax. Similarly, the insurance firm has witnessed considerable decline in its financials during the last two quarters of 2016. The underwriter featured among companies that were sanctioned for delay in timely disclosure of their audited annual financial performance. Like most of its peers in the industry, Mutual Benefit’s share price on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has remained stagnated at nominal value of 50 kobo year to date following negative sentiments that have enveloped the demand of

Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc like most other insurance firms has continued to struggle. Chris Ugwu writes most insurance stocks. Financials Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc ended the year 2015 on the downswing with a pre-tax profit of N1.195 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2015. The pre-tax profit translated to a drop of 81 per cent over N4.980 billion recorded during the same period of 2014. Profit after tax stood at N812.048 million in 2015 as against N4.980 billion reported a year earlier, representing a decline of 76 per cent. The statement of financial position as at the period showed that gross premium written dropped to N14.598 billion in 2015 as against N15.451 billion recorded a year earlier, indicating a slump of 6 per cent. There also seems to be no respite for the investors of the underwritten firm, as it began the 2016 financial year with 18.35 per cent decline in profit after tax for the first quarter ended March 2016. The group’s profit after tax during the first quarter stood at N320.508 million as against N392.529 million in 2015, indicating a drop of 18.35 per cent. In the same vein, profit before tax was down by 28.75 per cent, from N577.698 million in 2015 to N411.632 million during the period under review. However, the group’s gross premium written grew by 21.96 per cent to N3.171 billion in Q1 2016 from N2.600 billion in 2015. Mutual Benefit continued with the downward trend, as it reported a profit after tax of N387.630 million for the half year ended June 30, 2016. The PAT depicts a drop of 85 per cent over N2.661 billion recorded during the same period of 2015. Profit before tax stood at N493.865 million in 2016 as against N2.747 billion reported a year earlier, accounting for a decline of 82.02 per cent. According to a notice from the NSE, the statement of financial position as at the period under review showed gross premium written also fell to N6.373 billion in 2016 as against N10.087 billion recorded a year earlier, indicating a drop of 36.82 per cent.

Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc 2015 September 30

N0. 50

October 31

N0. 50

November 30

N0. 50

December 31

N0. 50

2016 January 31

N0. 50

February 29

N0. 50

March 31

N0. 50

April 30

N0. 50

May 31

N0. 50

June 30

N0. 50

July 31

N0. 50

August 19

N0. 50

the accounts to the public yet because we are still awaiting the approval of the accounts of a major subsidiary.”

Ogunbiyi

The group’s gross premium written grew by 21.96 per cent to N3.171 billion in Q1 2016 from N2.600 billion in 2015

Sanctions for late filings A total of 33 companies including Mutual Benefit, Great Nigerian Insurance (GNI), Daar Communication, DN Tyre, Vitafoam, Guinea Insurance, were slammed with a fine of N110, 200,000 by the Exchange over default in filing their annual reports among other offences. Checks from the NSE X-Compliance Report dated 15 April 2016, showed that the total value of penalty at N110, 200,000, ranged from N100,000 to about N17 million. Great Nigeria Insurance Plc had the highest penalty of N16.9 million for default in filing its December 2013 and 2014 results as well as first, second and third quarter results for 2015. Daar Communication Plc was next with a penalty amounting to N13.5 million for default in filing its December 2013, 2014 results and first quarter 2015 results. DN Tyre & Rubber Plc followed with a fine totalling N12.8 million for defaults in filings it’s December 2014, first, second and third quarter 2015 results. The report also featured companies that fell short of the minimum listing standards in terms of timely disclosure of their audited annual financial performance and are operating or operated below the Listing Standards (BLS) for Non-Rendition of Audited Financial Statements 2015. Under this category was Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc, which got a N3.8 million penalty for default in filing December 2013 and 2014 as well as half year 2015 results, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc N3.2 million for second quarter and September 2014 results, Oando Plc N6.2 million for December 2014, first, second, third quarter 2015 results. Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc had affirmed its delay to release its full year end 2015 results to the public. In a notice to the Exchange, the insurer said: “Please be informed that our regulators NAICOM (National Insurance Commission) approved our accounts on May 20, 2016 but we are unable to present

Looking ahead The underwriter recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cool World, a subsidiary of PZ Cussons, to provide insurance cover for its products. The Group Managing Director, Mutual Benefits Assurance, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, said the partnership would expand its insurance service to more Nigerians. “By this partnership, all products bought by customers of the firm in the country will be insured against losses such as household damage from fire, material damage and theft among others,” he said. Ogunbiyi said the company was taking this initiative to add value to the products sold by Cool World through insurance, adding that it hoped to extend this service to its customers in West African countries. The Managing Director, Mutual benefits General Insurance, Mr. Segun Omosehin, said that the partnership made insurance more beneficial to the public. With collaboration, he said, Mutual Benefits would be able to take insurance to the grass roots. The Commercial Director, Cool World, Mr. Olugbenga Kolawole, said that the partnership would transform retail business in Nigeria. He said that customers of the company would not have to worry about any damage they might incur from buying its products because they were fully insured by a reliable insurance firm. Owing to poor performance of insurance companies following the low patronage, Ogunbiyi at a forum recently called for collaboration in the insurance industry to deepen penetration. He said it had become very important considering that there is a significant relationship between insurance development and economic growth. “Insurance provides vital support for emerging economies and helps in an indispensable manner to achieve growth targets, as a strong and competitive insurance industry not only enhances growth, it substantially mitigates critical challenges on the path of sustainable economic development,” he said. He explained that through its risk transfer and indemnification services as well as the essentially value-adding financial intermediary services, insurance guarantees productivity improvement, production efficiency enhancement and increase investment opportunities. Conclusion Lack of awareness on the part of people about the benefits of insurance and the inability of insurers to introduce innovative and market driven-products has remained the major impediments to the growth of insurance business in Nigeria.


BUSINESS | Capital Market

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

29

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at October 7, 2016 Prices for Securities Traded as of 07/10/2016

108 109

Printed 07/10/2016 14:32:35.035

PRICES FOR PREMIUM BOARD SECURITIES FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N 1

BANKING

ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC

BANKING S/N 2

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

FBN HOLDINGS PLC

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

S/N 3

BUILDING MATERIALS

DANGOTE CEMENT PLC

BUILDING MATERIALS

Price List (Equities)

ICT

S/N

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

446,772.11

14.23

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

111,275.41

3.10

%CHANGE

-4.82

%CHANGE

0.98

PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES AGRICULTURE S/N 4 5 6

CROP PRODUCTION

FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC

CROP PRODUCTION S/N 7

FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING

ELLAH LAKES PLC.

FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING S/N 8

LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES

LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC.

LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

3,118,412.86

PRICE

183.00

%CHANGE

-

S/N 9

10 11 12 13 14

DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES

A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CHELLARAMS PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC.

S C O A NIG. PLC.

TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC.

DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES

S/N 15

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

ARBICO PLC.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION S/N 16

BUILDING STRUCTURE/COMPLETION/OTHER

COSTAIN (W A) PLC.

BUILDING STRUCTURE/COMPLETION/OTHER S/N 17 18

INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION

JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC.

INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION S/N 19

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT S/N 20 21 22

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)

SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC

UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)

S/N 23

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS

DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS S/N

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS

24

CHAMPION BREW. PLC.

26

GUINNESS NIG PLC

25

GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC.

27

INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC.

29

PREMIER BREWERIES PLC

28

NIGERIAN BREW. PLC.

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS S/N 30

BEVERAGES--NON-ALCOHOLIC

7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC.

BEVERAGES--NON-ALCOHOLIC S/N 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

FOOD PRODUCTS

DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC

DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC.

HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC

MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC.

NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC P S MANDRIDES & CO PLC. U T C NIG. PLC.

UNION DICON SALT PLC.

FOOD PRODUCTS S/N 41 42

FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED

CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC.

FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED S/N 43 44

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES

NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES S/N 45 46

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC.

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

S/N

BANKING

47

ACCESS BANK PLC.

49

ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED

48

DIAMOND BANK PLC

50

FIDELITY BANK PLC

52

SKYE BANK PLC

51 53 54 55 56 57

GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC.

UNION BANK NIG.PLC.

UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNITY BANK PLC

WEMA BANK PLC.

BANKING S/N

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83

EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC.

GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC

GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC.

INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

46

318,750

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

511.20

1,720.00

0.50

40.00

4.26

0.86

-

-

1.18

PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC.

REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC

STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC UNIC INSURANCE PLC.

UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES S/N 84 85

MICRO-FINANCE BANKS

FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC

MICRO-FINANCE BANKS S/N

MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

86

ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC

88

INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC

87 89 90

ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC

RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC

UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC.

MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES S/N

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

91

AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC

93

DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & TRUST PLC

92 94 95 96 97 98 99

CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC.

NIGERIA ENERYGY SECTOR FUND ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC.

SIM CAPITAL ALLIANCE VALUE FUND STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

S/N

100 101

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS EKOCORP PLC.

UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS S/N

102

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES S/N

PHARMACEUTICALS

104

FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

103 105 106 107

EVANS MEDICAL PLC.

GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC.

NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC

0 0

81,200

VOLUME

0 0

VOLUME

18

537,607

64

856,357

18

537,607

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,382.56

0.90

-4.26

6

309,532

256.84

0.66

2,465.17 2,573.31

41,876.76 40,434.20

3.41 3.96 1.03

21.05

-

1.98 0.24

0 0 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

711.32

MARKET CAP(Nm)

542.19

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

4.79

PRICE

0.50

127

10,081,792

27

2,000.00

26,682.70

MARKET CAP(Nm) 2,386.33

10,081,792

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

0

TRADES 2 2

0

VOLUME 1,890

1,890

TRADES

VOLUME

-

0

0

PRICE

11,305.89

-

1,317,686

%CHANGE

MARKET CAP(Nm)

MARKET CAP(Nm)

%CHANGE

0

6.60

40.00

6,789.06

-

0 8,454,574

PRICE

52,800.00 165.00

%CHANGE

0

94

127

3.95

-

%CHANGE

-

4 4

TRADES 8 8

1,600

1,600

VOLUME

65,524 65,524

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

45.22

-

0

0

10.00

-

100.00

-

PRICE

0.50

%CHANGE

-

0

0

0

0

14

69,014

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

0

0

0

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

231.34

0.85

-

0

0

21,296.23

133,195.81 65,720.27

1,156,062.91 2,888.67

MARKET CAP(Nm)

2.72

88.45

19.95

145.80

2.95

-

-9.74 -

-0.12 -

7

33 10

107

0

TRADES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

76,560.00

6.38

55,240.19

21.05

1,861.25

0.50

10,388.56 1,070.98

21,327.98 214.00 616.69

4,507.36

MARKET CAP(Nm)

30,971.55

634,125.00 MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,886.86 2,897.79 MARKET CAP(Nm)

74,009.69

173,653.30

-

-0.47 -

1.31 6.01

-

29 21 36 40 13 0 0

VOLUME

22,873

VOLUME

204,920 634,407 148,948 193,000 0 0

8.05

-0.62

17

181,244

0.50

-

0

0

5.35

-

16.49

-

0 0

10

24,200

%CHANGE

TRADES

800.00

-1.84

38

PRICE

%CHANGE

29.78

-

-

0

1,362,519

PRICE

16.49

0

127

48

TRADES 0

VOLUME

75,691 99,891

VOLUME

0

2.78

-0.71

25

999,970

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

18.64

-

45.90

-

25 28

161,509 3,550,944

77

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

1.27

-3.94

63

0.19

75

VOLUME

1,925,986

75,968,204

11.10

27,236.31

0.94

-1.05

101

21,478,072

0.66

1.54

52

4,706,988

23.45

30,517.84

1.06

9,161.00

81,291.87

151,285.62 8,650.11

24,301.91

4.80 4.17 0.74 0.63

-1.72 -

5.03 0.48

-1.35

1.59

30

230,965

203,680.02 690,161.15

-0.36

69,456

49

29,413.69

5.40

999,970

463 MARKET CAP(Nm)

156,211.05

0

22,873

%CHANGE

3.90

19,050

644,309

29

PRICE

19,500.00

140,082

834,726

158.00

-

31,285

157

101,213.28

263

14 45

124

14 19

800

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

4,504.63

0.65

3.17

14

0.50

-

0

10,292.50

3,000.00 7,364.75 7,000.00 2,411.47 1,913.74 3,070.00

642.04

2,509.25 4,000.00 4,488.43 3,869.74 2,759.15 3,334.38 4,170.41 5,996.59 4,670.54 1,291.15 6,933.33 8,000.00 6,691.37

0.50 2.00

-

1.00

-

0.50

-

0.50

-

0.53

-

0.50

-

0.50

-

0.50

-

0.50

-

0.73

-

0.50 0.50

-

0.85

4.94

0.50

-

0.50

-

0.50

-

0.50

-

0.50

-

0.50

-

0.50

-

0.50

-

0.50

-

0.50

-

0

12 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

10,065,435 4,796,119 1,756,954

508,190

130,192,880 VOLUME

0

199,036 233,340 0

23,000

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

200

0

0

0

0 0

1

5,000

0

0

0 0 0

23

62

TRADES

2,355.24

1.03

-

1

-

140,409

1

0

%CHANGE

2.58

7,853,722

155,013

PRICE

11,799.67

992,801

9

MARKET CAP(Nm)

1 2

0 0 0

4,409,654

5,025,243 VOLUME 1,000 1,000

2,000

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

7,370.87

0.50

-

0

0

5,250.00 6,130.57 5,664.87 2,949.22

1.25 1.47 0.50 3.02

-

0 0 0 0 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

23,527.46

4.00

-

4

5,660.00

750.00

22,971.14 411.91

2,572.69

2.83 0.50

-

1,776.57

251.09

521,454

0

0

23,101

2

850

17.05

-

2.03

PRICE

3.54 0.50

PRICE

1.65

%CHANGE

-

%CHANGE

0 0

23

TRADES 0 0 0

COMPUTERS AND PERIPHERALS S/N

112

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES MTECH COMMUNICATIONS PLC

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES S/N

IT SERVICES

114

NCR (NIGERIA) PLC.

113 115

CWG PLC

TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC.

IT SERVICES S/N

PROCESSING SYSTEMS

117

E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC

CHAMS PLC

PROCESSING SYSTEMS S/N

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

118 MASS TELECOMMUNICATION INNOVATIONS NIGERIA PLC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

556.71 405.45

3.62 1.87

-

INDUSTRIAL GOODS

0

0

%CHANGE

TRADES

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

970.92

8.99

-

0

0

1,776.00

1,470.89

4,519.67

6,741.29

707.78

0.50

0.50

0.91

2.67 1.43

-

-

-

-

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0

VOLUME

0 0

VOLUME

0 0 0 0 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

23,898.00

5.69

-

1

5,000

TRADES

VOLUME

2,348.03

MARKET CAP(Nm) 2,446.80

0.50

PRICE

0.50

-

%CHANGE -

0 1 0 0 1

0

5,000

0 0

5,000

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

33,658.98

15.03

-

38

205,070

CAP PLC

23,275.00

33.25

-

11

20,773

295.75

0.91

-

0

121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129

BERGER PAINTS PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DN MEYER PLC.

FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC.

PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC

PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC PREMIER PAINTS PLC.

BUILDING MATERIALS S/N

130 131

ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC CUTIX PLC.

ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS S/N

PACKAGING/CONTAINERS

133

BETA GLASS CO PLC.

132 134

AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS GREIF NIGERIA PLC

PACKAGING/CONTAINERS S/N

135

TOOLS AND MACHINERY NIGERIAN ROPES PLC

TOOLS AND MACHINERY

910.10

1,996.88 7,540.07 1,055.18

236,490.50 721.55 608.00

2.47 6.89 6.00 0.50

47.20

0.91 1.52

1,277.97

10.39

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

2,256.91 1,787.74

2.09

-4.84 %CHANGE -

NATURAL RESOURCES S/N

136

CHEMICALS

B.O.C. GASES PLC.

CHEMICALS S/N

137

METALS

ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC.

METALS S/N

138

MINING SERVICES

MULTIVERSE MINING AND EXPLORATION PLC

MINING SERVICES S/N

139

PAPER/FOREST PRODUCTS THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC.

PAPER/FOREST PRODUCTS

S/N

140

ENERGY EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC

ENERGY EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES S/N

INTEGRATED OIL AND GAS SERVICES

141

OANDO PLC

S/N

142

PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC

144

ETERNA PLC.

INTEGRATED OIL AND GAS SERVICES

143 145 146 147 148

CONOIL PLC

FORTE OIL PLC.

MOBIL OIL NIG PLC.

MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC.

PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS S/N

149

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION

SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION

S/N

150

ADVERTISING

AFROMEDIA PLC

ADVERTISING S/N

151

APPAREL RETAILERS

LENNARDS (NIG) PLC.

APPAREL RETAILERS S/N

152

AUTOMOBILE/AUTO PART RETAILERS R T BRISCOE PLC.

AUTOMOBILE/AUTO PART RETAILERS S/N

153 154

COURIER/FREIGHT/DELIVERY RED STAR EXPRESS PLC

TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC.

COURIER/FREIGHT/DELIVERY S/N

155

HOSPITALITY

TANTALIZERS PLC

HOSPITALITY S/N

HOTELS/LODGING

157

IKEJA HOTEL PLC

156 158

CAPITAL HOTEL PLC TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC.

159

TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC

S/N

MEDIA/ENTERTAINMENT

HOTELS/LODGING 160

DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC

MEDIA/ENTERTAINMENT S/N

PRINTING/PUBLISHING

162

LEARN AFRICA PLC

161 163 164

ACADEMY PRESS PLC.

STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC.

PRINTING/PUBLISHING S/N

165

ROAD TRANSPORTATION

ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC

ROAD TRANSPORTATION S/N

SPECIALTY

167

SECURE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY PLC

166

INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC

SPECIALTY S/N

168 169

TRANSPORT-RELATED SERVICES

AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC

NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC

TRANSPORT-RELATED SERVICES S/N

SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS

171

CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC

170

C & I LEASING PLC.

SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS

PRICES FOR ASEM SECURITIES

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE S/N

172

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

SMART PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

S/N

173

FOOD PRODUCTS

MCNICHOLS PLC

FOOD PRODUCTS

S/N

174

MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES OMOLUABI SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC

MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

S/N

175

PHARMACEUTICALS

AFRIK PHARMACEUTICALS PLC.

176

PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS ANINO INTERNATIONAL PLC.

178

NAVITUS ENERGY PLC

177 179

CAPITAL OIL PLC

RAK UNITY PET. COMP. PLC.

PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS

S/N

180

FOOD/DRUG RETAILERS AND WHOLESALERS JULI PLC.

FOOD/DRUG RETAILERS AND WHOLESALERS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

1,966.97

7.46

-

%CHANGE -

COMPANY

6

400,000

5

VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF

-

23

246,319

7

VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF

-4.44

4

219,720

VOLUME

4

70,740

6

NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF

VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF

S/N

COMPANY

1

(182-DAY CBN TBILL)SIB SEP2024

3

10.20% IFC FEB 2018

2 4 5 6 7 8 9

10

0 0

1,048,071 VOLUME

TRADES

TRADES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

2,144.57

2,130.97

123.20

9.75

0.50

0.56

-

-

-

-

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0

VOLUME

0 0

VOLUME

0 0 0 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

64,986.94

5.40

1.50

123

2,262,817

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1,858.49

0.50

-

0

3.07

-0.32

191.72

-

3,131.35

0.50

24,912.88

35.90

208,266.73

159.90

4,003.72

69,133.32 10,134.15

39.90

97,442.77

287.00

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

197,205.60

350.00

MARKET CAP(Nm) 2,219.52

MARKET CAP(Nm)

210.49

PRICE

0.50

PRICE

3.00

-

0 0

123

-

27

-

68

%CHANGE

-

%CHANGE

-

%CHANGE

-

24

181

TRADES 1 1

202.80

1.02

0

TRADES 0 0

-

0 0 1 0 1

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

3,866.56

1.86

-

2

5,699.51 7,885.00

0.50

3.68 3.51

-

-4.91 -

8,821

VOLUME

100 100

VOLUME

0

TRADES

1,605.81

20,026 580,290

TRADES

%CHANGE

-

76,602

2,843,207

PRICE

4.03

0

67,263

305

MARKET CAP(Nm) 2,375.67

2,262,817

30,187

16

TRADES

-

0

31

%CHANGE

0.50

0

377,391

PRICE

588.18

VOLUME

15

MARKET CAP(Nm)

0 0 3 2

0 0

VOLUME

0 0

VOLUME

0 0

VOLUME 3,500

0

3,500

VOLUME

0 0

VOLUME

100,000 25,500 1,190

40,130.13

5.28

-

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

486.01

0.63

-

2

13,174

6,000.00

308.45

1,302.80 1,975.86

0.50

0.51 2.19 4.58

-

-

7 0 0 0 0 0 2

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

2,815.77

0.50

-

0

828.85

946.80

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,268.00 5,278.71

0.50

4.00

PRICE

2.00

-

%CHANGE

-

0 0 0 0

TRADES 5

-

15

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

2,244.84

0.67

-

2

941.41

3.25

-

MARKET CAP(Nm)

0.50

-

20 1 3

33

Price List (Equities) MARKET CAP(Nm) 34.20

PRICE

0.76

%CHANGE

-

MARKET CAP(Nm)

421.44

PRICE

1.29

%CHANGE

-

4,600.00

PRICE

0.92

%CHANGE

-

12.45

PRICE

0.50

%CHANGE

-

0 0 0 0 0

13,174

VOLUME

0 0

VOLUME

0 0 0

VOLUME

64,200 51,686

115,886 VOLUME 5,000

28,454 33,454

292,704

TRADES

VOLUME

0 0

TRADES

0 0

0 0 0

VOLUME

0 0 0

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

0 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

VOLUME

184,989,506

0 MARKET CAP(Nm)

0

126,690

2,550

0

0 0

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

0 0

0 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

6.05

0.25

-

0

0

62.12

0.63

-

0

0

2,928.77 28.31

0.50 0.50

-

0 0 0 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

349.83

PRICE

1.75

%CHANGE

-

0 0 0 0

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

0 0 0

0 0 0

3,048

200,842,247

Price List (ETP) MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

598.50

3,990.00

-

0

0

97.26

2.66

-0.75

7.40

-0.54

1

17.37

-1.70

1

562.96 927.21 85.96

1,910.08 76.11

9.08

81.00

12.70

-0.44 -

-1.01

1 0 1

1

5 0 5

5 5 5

5

25

5

25

Price List (BONDS) MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

70.50

-

0

0

100.00

100.00

12,000.00

100.00

12,950.00

100.00

262,609.99

84.71

272,400.00

12.1493% FGN JUL 2034

909,151.42

12.49% FGN MAY 2029

150,000.00

100.00

20,000.00

100.00

13.00% UBA SEP 2017

0

172

%CHANGE

10.70% FGN MAY 2018

12.50% FGN JAN 2026

0

0

50

VOLUME

%CHANGE

3.70

417,056.18

12.40% FGN MAR 2036

1

TRADES

0

50

PRICE

10.00% FGN JUL 2030

11.25% ADB FEB 2021

0

PRICE

1,540.11

ETP TOTALS

PRICES FOR DEBT SECURITIES

0

125,200

MARKET CAP(Nm)

EQUITIES TOTALS

2

5

MARKET CAP(Nm)

ASEM TOTALS

S/N

0

1

9.69

SERVICES

PRICES FOR ETP SECURITIES

0

VOLUME

-

1.32

OIL AND GAS SERVICES

0

0 922,821

30.05

HEALTHCARE S/N

0

0 0

15,024.16

FINANCIAL SERVICES HEALTHCARE

0 166

TRADES

0

669,411

VOLUME

CONSUMER GOODS

FINANCIAL SERVICES

0

125,200

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE CONSUMER GOODS

105

20,625

5

SERVICES

MAIN BOARD TOTALS

0

TRADES

OIL AND GAS SERVICES

5

0

6,942

%CHANGE

NATURAL RESOURCES OIL AND GAS

7

PRICE

413.18

-

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

902.85

2.03

-

INDUSTRIAL GOODS

0

72,000

PRICE

MARKET CAP(Nm)

ASHAKA CEM PLC

AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC.

STANBIC IBTC ETF 30

9

MARKET CAP(Nm)

BUILDING MATERIALS

3

-

VOLUME

0

1,008,779

S/N

0

-

0 1,008,779

0

120

119

0 0

0 48 48

ICT

LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF

6

0.86

VOLUME

VOLUME

0

-

0.92

30,013,515

TRADES

1.66

19.00

OMATEK VENTURES PLC

1

-

2,490.00

1,349.81

196,369

23,590,350 165,233,638

459

TRADES

22,721.65

0

310

%CHANGE

0.50

0

1,323

PRICE

901.60

VOLUME

34

MARKET CAP(Nm)

366.17

0

-

2.51

MARKET CAP(Nm)

111

OIL AND GAS

0.50

-

COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC

COMPUTERS AND PERIPHERALS

0

5,681,391

552.20

COMPUTER BASED SYSTEMS

PHARMACEUTICALS

0

86

15,060.00

1,765.05

S/N

0

-1.72

103.24

MARKET CAP(Nm)

0

1.16

3,313.67

170,500.00

4.81

FINANCIAL SERVICES HEALTHCARE

21

0

PRICE

4,000.00

NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC.

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC

N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC.

15,852,741

MARKET CAP(Nm)

40,000.00

3,661.72

MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC.

8,177

VOLUME

LASACO ASSURANCE PLC.

LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC.

8,177

237,550

10,372.74

CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC.

8,177

25

CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC

63

VOLUME

TRADES

21,000.00

CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC

16

15,844,564

0.53

AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC

62

16

8,600,930

%CHANGE

AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC

61

TRADES

8,600,930

PRICE

60

AIICO INSURANCE PLC.

233

40.11

1,100.00

58 59

233

38,261.33

CONSUMER GOODS

FINANCIAL SERVICES

VOLUME

7,243,634

MARKET CAP(Nm)

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE CONSUMER GOODS

TRADES

249

110

COMPUTER BASED SYSTEMS

116

CONGLOMERATES

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE

7,243,634

498

Price List (Equities)

VOLUME

249

16

AGRICULTURE

CONGLOMERATES

TRADES

482

INDUSTRIAL GOODS

PREMIUM BOARD TOTALS

PHARMA-DEKO PLC.

HEALTHCARE

FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRIAL GOODS

NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC.

PHARMACEUTICALS

365,022.47

90.80 84.50

86.70

-

-

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


30 PENETRATION Industry penetration has remained abysmally low over the years due to nondisposable income, public apathy and failure of most employers to provide life cover for employees

Sunday Ojeme

L

ast week, the Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, introduced another dimension to efforts geared towards boosting insurance premium, creating awareness and enhancing penetration in the country. Although very necessary for the protection of individual lives and property, the ‘initiative’ has long been relegated to the background in the course of government’s transacting business with individuals and corporate bodies. While promising to redeem debts owed contactors, the minister, among other things, bemoaned non-compliance to insurance laws by citizens and organisations in the country, saying that the laws had either diminished or were not being taken seriously to the effect that insurance business was not growing and employing as many people as it should. Insurance for contractors He said: “I committed to do my own part by ensuring that every contractor working for the Federal Government must show proof of a minimum of workplace safety and compensation insurance policy, as a commitment to the safety of employees before we pay them for work done.” He also recommended a similar commitment to controllers of works in all the states as a step to ensuring safety of workers and as a boost to insurance sector. The minister, who spoke about the debts in the presence of all states commissioners and directors of works at the National Council on Works’ meeting in Katsina, gave assurance that the Federal Government was prepared to fulfilling the promise of redeeming the debts. Essentially, and for the first time in a long while, the Federal Government appears to be taking seriously another aspect of the Compulsory Insurance Act, which has to do with workmen compensation. The decision must have been prompted by the relegation of the sector to the background and its inability to garner enough funds to play its rightful role in the country. This is also coupled with the fact that a number of workers in this category have often been left to their fate whenever they suffer any form of tragedy. While some have been afflict-

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Insurance

Compulsory Insurance: Taking advantage of FG’s green light ed with permanent disabilities without any form of compensation, a few others have not been so lucky, as they lose their lives in the cause of doing their jobs, and ultimately without compensation for their families. Employers’ compensation fund Specifically, Employers Liability Insurance as required by the Employee Compensation Act of 2010, (which repealed the Workmen Compensation Act of 1987) requires every employer, within the first two years of the commencement of the 2010 Act, to make a minimum monthly contribution of one per cent of the total monthly payroll of employees to the Employee Compensation Fund. The Fund shall be used to pay adequate compensation to employees or their dependants for any death, injury, disease or disability arising out of or in the course of their employment. With the Federal Government now stepping ahead to redefine the practice, the fastest thing is for the regulator to widen the scope and ensure all other government dealings with individuals and corporate organisations are tied to insurance. Several attempts by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to ensure full implementation of compulsory insurance have yielded little result as the growing apathy for the sector also overwhelmed the drive. As part of the zeal to ensure its success, the commission laid emphasis on the Market Development Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) to keep all the elements of compulsory insurances running. The MDRI was structured to raise the value of insurance contracts to about N1 trillion ($6.4 billion) from N300 billion by the year 2017 and also contribute about three per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP), boost penetration to 22.5 per cent from 10 per cent as well as achieve N1 trillion premium income under a four-year strategic plan. Its success was hinged on full implementation of compulsory insurances. Although it did not achieve the set goals, the current Commissioner for Insurance, Muhammed Kari, recently hinted on the possibility of reviving the initiative. He said the commission was strengthening the initiative to deepen insurance penetration, stressing that the plan of NAICOM, under his management, was to continue all the initiatives, which for one reason or the other had been delayed or not being implemented properly. “The MDRI is an initiative we would continue with, because it was designed to help penetration of insurance and we can

Fashola

Several attempts by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to ensure full implementation of compulsory insurance have yielded little result

Kari

still do a lot on that. What we have done to strengthen the implementation, is to set up an internal unit that is specifically, assigned to handle public sector insurances and advises,” he said. NAICOM had accused underwriters of not taking advantage of the opportunities created via the initiative, which was designed with focus on the enforcement of compulsory insurance products, increase insurance awareness; reduce incidences of fake insures/insurances and Increase agency reform. NAICOM’s pact with state govts Recently, Kari disclosed that the Commission was on the verge of signing agreement with state government across the country for the enforcement of compulsory insurance. He said: “The MoU that we will sign with the states will enable them earn income from the enforcement because we believe that if there is an income definitely they will be mobilised. “We have heard from the states because we believe we can only improve on penetration if we enforce compulsory insurances. The challenges being that our law is a federal law, it doesn’t apply in states and the states also have to pass some local laws that will enable us enforce. “The poor penetration of insurance in the country is no more a new statement or information. It is a position we all certainly cannot be proud of. What should be done in this ugly situation is the issue. Developing a robust insurance sector in any country requires developing a good strategy on insurance penetration. “While the newly formed insurers’ committee has set up various sub-committees to look at that and more issues,

the commission is complementing those efforts by expanding its enforcement of compulsory insurances down to the states level.” Other aspects of Compulsory Insurances are: Motor Third Party Insurance as required by the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act of 1950. It is the minimum insurance that owners of motor vehicles plying Nigerian roads are required to have. The policy covers liability for death or bodily injury to a third party arising from the use of the vehicle. It also includes Employee Group Life Insurance as required by the Pension Reform Act of 2004 requiring every employer of labour with three or more employees to take out a life insurance policy for a minimum of three times the annual total emolument of the employee. The Health Care Professional Indemnity as required by the National Health Insurance Scheme Act requires all licensed health care providers to have a professional indemnity policy. The law defines a health care provider as any registered Government or private healthcare practitioner and hospital or maternity center. In the same vein, Insurance of Public Buildings requires the owner or occupier of every public building to be insured against liability for loss or damage to property or death or bodily injury caused by collapse, fire, earthquake, storm or flood, while Insurance of Buildings under Construction requires every owner or contractor of any building under construction with more than two floors to take out an insurance policy to cover liability against construction risks caused by his negligence or that of his servants, agents or consultants which may result in death, bodily injury or property damage to workers on site or members of the public.


BUSINESS | PENSION

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

31

PFAs shift to bonds as currency woes deter equity investor RETURNS Poor returns from Nigerian stocks have continued to drag performance over the last 10 months

Stories: Sunday Ojeme

N

igerian pension funds have been selling equities and shifting to local bonds despite cheap valuations, as illiquid currency markets limit foreign participation in the stock market. Dave Uduanu, who manages N220 billion ($724 million) for Pension Alliance Limited, said his fund had cut its exposure to Nigerian stocks to 10 per cent this year, from 20 per cent last year, and increased allocation to local treasury bills and government bonds. Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy, is facing its worst recession in 25 years, brought on by low oil prices, which has seen foreign investors flee its financial markets, causing chronic dollar shortages and creating risk aversion among local funds. Uduanu said investing in stocks had become unattractive because foreign investors, which used to dominate the Nigerian market, have stayed away amid concerns on how to repatriate funds. Corporate earnings have also been poor as firms struggled to source dollars to pay for imports, he said. “Asset allocation is getting more conservative so equity al-

location has dropped. Pension fund investors have become more risk averse,” Uduanu told Reuters on the sidelines of a pensions fund conference in Abuja. He said local funds with no currency risk were preferring treasury bills offering yields of around 18 per cent.. A fund industry source said most Nigerian funds’ had probably made a return of around 10 per cent so far this year, below inflation which is above 17 per cent and less than an average return of 11.5 per cent over the past five years. The Lagos stock index

N

ewly appointed Executive Secretary of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Sharon Ikeazor, has pledged his commitment to ensure pensioners get paid their funds promptly. Ikeasor said, under her watch, “pension payment shall be a pleasure rather than pain.” She made the pledge in Abuja during her acceptance speech where she also lamented delays that characterise payment of pension to retirees. “Amidst the best of intentions, the annual budgetary allocation for pensions was often one of the most vulnerable items in budget implementation. In many cases, even budgetary provisions were made inadequate, and untimely release of funds resulted in delays and accumulation of arrears of payments of pension rights,” she observed. She lamented that the history of pension and fate of pensioners had been one trailed with unsavory experience. “It has been the painful his-

curities with the balance of 20 per cent spread between cash, money market instruments and equities. Investors want to see liquidity returning to currency markets now that the currency peg has gone, analysts say. But the central bank has said it expects liquidity to remain tight this year. “There is a general aversion to risk at the moment hence low activity on the stock market, and investors, pension funds inclusive, have switched to fixed income securities which barely guarantee a positive real return,” said Akin Adigun,

Africa equity sales trader at Renaissance Capital. Adigun said he favoured banks due to low valuations and industrial stocks, which would benefit from rising government spending. Nigerian banks have been trading at 0.6 times book value compared with 1.1 times emerging market peers. Uduanu said the weak economy would slow growth in the Nigerian fund industry’s assets under management to 18 per cent in 2016, from 30 per cent last year. But his fund had managed to grow to N220 billion from N190 billion last year.

L-R: Talent Acquisition Specialist, World Bank Group (WBG), Washington D.C, Anna Frick; Senior HR Specialist, World Bank (Central and West Africa Regions), Chude Ezinwa; Director-General, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Richard Borokini; Deputy Treasurer, Singapore, WBG, Andrew Cross; Deputy Director General, CIIN, Uju Ndubisi-Chukwu; President/Chairman of Council, CIIN, Lady Isioma Chukwuma; Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman; Deputy President, CIIN, Mrs. Funmilola Ashaye-Babington; Managing Director, SCIB Insurance Brokers, Mr. Shola Tinubu; President, Nigerian Insurers Association, Mr. Eddie Efekoha and Chairman, Education Committee, CIIN, Mr. M. Oyegunle, at a breakfast meeting organised by CIIN last week.

PTAD boss pledges prompt payment of pension Abdulwahab Isa

is down 2.2 per cent in naira terms this year and has struggled to rise much above a 28,000 point resistance level. In dollar terms, it is trading near a 15-year low, due to a weaker naira after Nigeria’s economic problems forced it to abandon its dollar peg in June. “We are doing equities less and less by the day and more of fixed income,” said Adeniyi Falade, managing director of Crusader Sterling Pension, another pension fund. Falade, like Uduanu, has allocated 80 per cent of his more than N100 billion pension fund to fixed income se-

tory that pension payments to retired workers have been habitually delayed for months, sometimes even years, before they are paid out. It is quite probable that a number of retirees die before they collect their pensions. “The payment of that retired federal civil servants’ pension, retired police officer or retired immigration or customs officer’s gratuities should never be subjected to the kind of uncertainties, painful delays, and unnecessary hurdles that have been the history of Nigeria’s defined benefits pension system,” said Ikeazor. She enjoined all staff of PTAD regardless of ranks to key into the new vision to make remarkable difference in administration of defined pension to deserving Nigerian pensioners. “No pensioner or retiree, after serving their farmland, should ever be forced into the indignity and painful uncertainty of delayed pension. We owe them that, from the most junior rank to the highest rank. No one should ever be left behind. Pension payment shall be a pleasure rather than pain,” he added.

Pension mgt is long-term endeavor, says Ideva

F

ollowing the outstanding recognition given to foremost Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Premium Pension Limited, at the just concluded World Pension Summit: Africa Special, the management of the company has resolved to put machinery in place for the company’s growth. In a statement on made available to New Telegraph, the Managing Director of the PFA, Mr. Wilson Ideva, described the management of pension as a long term endeavor, which wellbeing cannot be measured by short-term macro-economic calculations. He said it was long distance race and not a hundred-metre dash. The statement pointed out that the PFA was positioning for more growth, despite the current economic realities. Premium Pension won awards for Driving Inclusive Coverage of Pension and Excellence in Corporate Governance. The award ceremony was

part of the World Pension Summit: Africa Special organised by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) in partnership with Pensions and Investments/ World Pension Summit, Amsterdam. It was established to reward excellence and drive innovation in the pension industry in Africa. The statement signed by the PFA’s Head of Communications, Mr. Paddy Ezeala, quoted Ideva as saying: “Premium Pension Limited and by extension, the contributory pension industry, will in distant time witness even more growth in all ramifications. There is now increased awareness and credibility around the scheme and that is more important than anything.” Even with the phenomenal growth in overall pension assets that is currently above N5.8 trillion, there is still a growing sentiment that the economic downturn occasioned by dipping commodity prices is already leading to a de-

cline in pension contributions and consequently a squeeze in assets under management. He also advocated the need to save in order to grow the pension industry and also capitalize on the extension of the coverage of Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to the informal sector to promote micro-pension and further grow pension assets. He further opined that the current economic circumstances and infrastructure deficit could only increase the importance of the scheme and the assets under management. “The scheme has been a resounding success and has come to stay as part and parcel of our socioeconomic reality,” he said. Globally, there has been a shift from the defined benefit pension scheme to the defined contribution or the Contributory Pension Scheme, which has in turn led to the amassment of huge pension funds relative to the sizes of economies.


32

BUSINESS | Financial Market News

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

7-Oct-16

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute professional, financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information.

Bonds

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

Description 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 ^15.54 13-FEB-2020 14.50 15-JUL-2021 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 ^12.50 22-JAN-2026 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036

Price

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

27-Apr-12 27-Jul-07 31-Aug-07 30-May-08 29-Jun-12 23-Oct-09 13-Feb-15 13-Jul-16 27-Jan-12 14-Mar-14 22-Jan-16 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14 18-Mar-16

15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 14.50 16.39 14.20 12.50 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.15 12.4000

480.13 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 606.43 210.59 605.31 719.99 421.02 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 1075.92 310.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

6,451.16

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

5,806.07

Rating/Agency

Agency Bonds Nil

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Description

Issuer

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

FMBN

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 15-Jul-21 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 22-Jan-26 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34 18-Mar-36

0.55 0.80 0.90 1.64 2.72 3.04 3.35 4.77 5.31 7.43 9.29 12.14 12.62 13.12 13.79 17.78 19.44

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

19.75 20.43 20.69 18.57 14.58 14.81 15.05 14.96 14.93 15.11 15.29 15.22 15.21 15.19 15.18 15.08 15.36

19.44 20.21 20.48 18.45 14.51 14.67 14.93 14.87 14.85 15.04 15.22 15.16 15.14 15.12 15.11 15.02 15.30

97.63 92.44 91.08 89.21 103.03 81.40 101.21 98.40 105.16 95.98 86.35 98.76 84.91 62.37 70.38 81.99 81.81

97.78 92.59 91.23 89.36 103.18 81.70 101.51 98.70 105.46 96.28 86.65 99.06 85.21 62.67 70.68 82.29 82.11

6406.155565

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

03-Apr-12

17.25

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

0.60

03-Apr-17

0.31

2.94

18.95

99.45

19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21 09-Dec-21 16-Feb-22 27-Feb-22 30-Mar-22 31-Mar-22 27-May-22

0.53 0.49 1.23 1.27 1.28 1.24 1.25 1.43 1.84 3.12 1.81 4.14 4.23 2.46 2.49 3.04 3.25 3.28 3.39 6.46 3.37

1.00 5.71 2.39 1.00 1.00 3.82 3.56 3.82 2.02 2.01 1.00 1.30 3.76 2.53 1.00 1.52 4.01 1.00 2.52 1.79 3.04

20.69 25.10 22.49 20.95 20.91 23.89 23.61 23.20 19.86 16.86 18.97 16.30 18.75 18.08 16.46 16.33 18.92 15.93 17.50 16.73 18.01

94.84 95.03 91.20 92.71 92.70 90.68 90.41 91.28 93.73 94.39 93.88 91.75 89.28 93.38 97.16 98.10 94.52 101.30 99.98 100.92 97.59

5.53 112.22 116.70 66.49 20.00 0.36 3.60

25-Oct-16 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17 30-Sep-17 30-Nov-17 09-Apr-18

0.05 0.17 0.53 0.75 0.98 0.66 0.76

1.34 1.00 3.55 5.25 1.88 1.88 3.15

19.59 17.18 23.24 25.52 22.79 21.91 23.44

99.68 99.66 96.77 94.07 91.79 98.46 95.30

0.60

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

0.60

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto‡ ; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A-/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR† Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto‡ A-/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto Bbb-/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto A-/GCR

LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA *BAUCHI *OYO *BENUE *PLATEAU KOGI *CROSS RIVER

19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 31-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14 09-Dec-14 17-Feb-15 27-Feb-15 30-Mar-15 01-Apr-15 27-May-15

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 15.50 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 16.50 OYO 16-FEB-2022 16.50 BENUE 27-FEB-2022 17.50 PLATEAU 30-MAR-2022 17.00 KOGI II 31-MAR-2022 17.00 CROSS RIVER 27-MAY-2022

10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00 15.50 16.50 16.50 17.50 17.00 17.00

57.00 11.33 25.00 19.37 3.49 9.45 7.01 18.70 11.14 80.00 19.40 87.50 5.00 3.74 3.76 14.37 4.17 4.30 27.10 3.00 7.34

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

422.14 396.51

Corporate Bonds A-/Agusto; A-/GCR Nil Nil Nil A/GCR BBB-/GCR Nil A-/DataPro†; CCC/GCR AAA/DataPro†; B/GCR A+/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto†; BBB+/GCR† BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR Nil A-/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB/GCR A/GCR BBB/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR A/GCR A/GCR AAA/GCR

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

FSDH ***LCRM UBA *C & I LEASING #{r}

*DANA # *TOWER

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018

#

*TOWER UBA *LA CASERA

*CHELLARAMS# *DANA#{r} FCMB NAHCO *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC *FCMB UBA FIDELITY *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC STANBIC IBTC STANBIC IBTC *NMRC

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.00 FCMB 6-NOV-2020 15.75 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 15.50 TRANSCORP 4-DEC-2020 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 16.48 FIDELITY 13-MAY-2022 16.00 TRANSCORP 26-OCT-2022 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 14.90 NMRC 29-JUL-2030

25-Oct-13 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12 30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11

14.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50 13.00 18.00 16.00

09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11

18.00 16.00

1.45 0.40

09-Sep-18 09-Sep-18

1.17 1.17

6.35 1.00

26.69 21.34

91.94 94.83

30-Sep-11 18-Oct-13

14.00 15.75

35.00 1.50

30-Sep-18 18-Oct-18

1.98 1.03

1.17 4.42

18.50 25.27

92.79 92.18

17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14 06-Nov-15

18.00 16.00 15.00

0.23 3.75 23.19

17-Feb-19 01-Apr-19 06-Nov-20

1.36 1.48 4.08

6.11 3.28 4.47

25.72 22.45 19.47

91.73 92.44 87.75

14-Nov-13 04-Dec-15 20-Nov-14

15.75 15.50 14.25

2.05 9.76 26.00

14-Nov-20 04-Dec-20 20-Nov-21

4.10 2.60 5.12

1.00 3.55 2.51

16.00 18.83 17.46

99.22 93.54 89.37

30-Dec-14 13-May-15 26-Oct-15

16.45 16.48 16.00

30.50 30.00 10.00

30-Dec-21 13-May-22 26-Oct-22

5.23 5.60 3.77

1.00 1.00 2.77

15.95 15.95 17.79

101.67 101.85 95.43

30-Sep-14 30-Sep-14 29-Jul-15

16.29 13.25 14.90

0.10 15.44 7.82

30-Sep-24 30-Sep-24 29-Jul-30

7.98 7.98 9.20

1.00 1.00 1.00

16.16 16.16 16.27

100.54 87.18 93.93

10-Oct-20

2.22

3.37

19.80

91.55

522.09

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

500.98

Sukuk *OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

1.35

1.00

17.88

91.12

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

*AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

2.57

1.00

14.15

94.03

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

BBB-/Agusto

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

14.75

9.02

9.02 8.26

Supranational Bond

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

24.95 23.11 Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Outstanding Value ($’mm)

Coupon (%)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

FGN

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

6.68

6.45

100.23

101.09

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.87

4.42

100.42

101.17

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.83

6.67

97.54

98.40

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,490.92

Corporate Eurobonds B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

8.41

8.41

99.12

99.12

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

23.03

20.87

79.63

82.00

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.47

6.47

99.10

99.10

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

7.26

7.26

97.70

97.70

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

22.35

22.35

74.13

74.13

B-/Fitch; B/S&P B-/Fitch; B/S&P B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

8.25 AUG 07, 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

07-Aug-13 24-Jun-14 23-Jul-14

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

07-Aug-20 24-Jun-21 23-Jul-21

13.23 11.94 14.36

12.67 11.62 14.36

85.01 90.16 78.00

86.51 91.20 78.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

12.23

11.76

84.88

86.63

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

3,150.00 2,797.77 Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Yield @ Issue (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

DTM

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Discount Rate (%)

18-Apr-16

11.00

16.80

18-Oct-16

11

2.03

20.61

20.49

Commercial Papers A-/Agusto

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PLC

UPDC CP 18-OCT-16

16.80

**TREASURY BILLS^ DTM 13 20 27 41 55 62 69 83

FIXINGS Maturity 20-Oct-16 27-Oct-16 3-Nov-16 17-Nov-16 1-Dec-16 8-Dec-16 15-Dec-16 29-Dec-16

Bid Discount (%) 14.23 16.33 17.01 15.99 16.31 14.89 15.36 15.36

Offer Discount (%) 13.98 16.08 16.76 15.74 16.06 14.64 15.11 15.11

Bid Yield (%) 14.31 16.48 17.23 16.29 16.72 15.28 15.81 15.92

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 16.5417 17.6498 18.6625 20.3649

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

15.67

Tenor

Closing Rate ($/N)

O/N

16.17

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

306.75 324.74 325.98 328.82 334.14 339.45

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 16.33 17.00


FMDQ Daily Quotations List

7-Oct-16

BUSINESS | Financial Market News

33

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute professional, financial or investment advice. W e attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date. W e do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Bonds

Stock market closes week bearish FGN Bonds

Issuer

Rating/Agency

PROFIT-TAKING Investors staked N6.357 billion in 12,352 deals

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Stories: Chris Ugwu Rating/Agency

T

Issuer

Agency Bonds

he equities market sustained bearish run, as banking, conSub-National Bonds sumer goods and industrial stocks received low patronage from bargain hunters following sell pressure occasioned by profit takings. The NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalisation depreciated by 1.77 per cent to close last week at 27,835.22 and N9.561 trillion respectively. Similarly, all other Indices TOTAL OUTSTANDING finished lowerVALUE during the TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION week with the exception of Corporate Bonds the NSE ASeM Index closed flat. The market opened for four trading sessions last week, as the Federal Government of Nigeria declared Monday 3rd of October, 2016 as public holiday in commemoration of the Nil

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

FMBN

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto‡ ; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A-/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR† Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto‡ A-/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto Bbb-/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto A-/GCR

LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA *BAUCHI *OYO *BENUE *PLATEAU KOGI *CROSS RIVER

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR Nil Nil Nil A/GCR BBB-/GCR Nil

FSDH

A-/DataPro†; CCC/GCR AAA/DataPro†; B/GCR A+/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto†; BBB+/GCR† BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR Nil A-/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB/GCR A/GCR BBB/GCR

Description

15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 ^15.54 13-FEB-2020 14.50 15-JUL-2021 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 ^12.50 22-JAN-2026 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036

***LCRM

UBA *C & I LEASING #{r} *DANA *TOWER#

Independence day celebration. Meanwhile, a turnover of 934.905 million shares worth N6.357 billion in 12,352 deals were traded last week by investors on the floor of the Exchange in contrast to a total of 1.287 billion sharesDescription valued at N9.303 billion that exchanged hands the previous week in 15,258 deals. The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 817.195 million shares valued at N4.081 billion traded in 7,268 deals; thus contributing 87.41 per cent and 64.19 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The conglomerates Industry followed with 46.366 million shares worth N86.730 million in 514 deals. The Oil and Gas Industry occupied the third place with a turnover of 21.539 million shares worth N465.820 million in 1,310 deals. Trading in the top three equities namely – Access Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and FCMB Group Plc (measured by volume) accounted for

*TOWER# UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS# *DANA#{r} FCMB NAHCO *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

27-Apr-12 27-Jul-07 31-Aug-07 30-May-08 29-Jun-12 23-Oct-09 13-Feb-15 13-Jul-16 27-Jan-12 14-Mar-14 22-Jan-16 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14 18-Mar-16

15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 14.50 16.39 14.20 12.50 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.15 12.4000

480.13 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 606.43 210.59 605.31 719.99 421.02 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 1075.92 310.00

27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 15-Jul-21 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 22-Jan-26 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34 18-Mar-36

0.55 0.80 0.90 1.64 2.72 3.04 3.35 4.77 5.31 7.43 9.29 12.14 12.62 13.12 13.79 17.78 19.44

19.75 20.43 20.69 18.57 14.58 14.81 15.05 14.96 14.93 15.11 15.29 15.22 15.21 15.19 15.18 15.08 15.36

19.44 20.21 20.48 18.45 14.51 14.67 14.93 14.87 14.85 15.04 15.22 15.16 15.14 15.12 15.11 15.02 15.30

97.63 92.44 91.08 89.21 103.03 81.40 101.21 98.40 105.16 95.98 86.35 98.76 84.91 62.37 70.38 81.99 81.81

97.78 92.59 91.23 89.36 103.18 81.70 101.51 98.70 105.46 96.28 86.65 99.06 85.21 62.67 70.68 82.29 82.11

18.95

99.45

364.682 million shares worth N1.074 billion in 1,359 deals, contributing 39.01 per cent and 16.90 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. 6,451.16 5,806.07 Twenty-two equities appreciated in price last week, Issue Date Coupon (%) lower than 35 equities of the previous week. Thirty-five equities depreciated in price,

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

03-Apr-12

25-Oct-13 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12 30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11

14.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50 13.00 18.00 16.00

15.50 TRANSCORP 4-DEC-2020 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 16.48 FIDELITY 13-MAY-2022 16.00 TRANSCORP 26-OCT-2022 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 14.90 NMRC 29-JUL-2030

09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 30-Sep-11 18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14 06-Nov-15 14-Nov-13

18.00 16.00 14.00 15.75 18.00 16.00 15.00 15.75

04-Dec-15 20-Nov-14 30-Dec-14 13-May-15

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.00 FCMB 6-NOV-2020 15.75 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR A/GCR A/GCR

I

AAA/GCR

*TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC STANBIC IBTC STANBIC IBTC *NMRC

nsurance Resourcery Consultancy Services Limited (IRCSL) has concluded acquisition of 75 per cent Sukuk equity stake in Great Nigeria InsurTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE ance TOTAL(GNI) MARKET Plc. CAPITALISATION The conclusion of acquisition beSupranational Bond came necessary following about N2.870 billion units representing 75 per cent TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION equity shareholding of Great Nigeria Insurance Pic that were crossed FGN Eurobonds through the negotiated cross deal window of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to lRCSL by Wema Asset Management Limited. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE According to a statement obtained TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION from the NSE, the cross deal marks the Corporate Eurobonds closure of the acquisition process that started in 2011. The acquisition was initiated as a result of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive to banks to divest from Non-Banking subsidiaries. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL CAPITALISATION OnMARKET 28 September 2011, IRCSL submittedRating/Agency an Expression of Interest (EOI) Issuer to Wema Asset Management and on 28 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

U

26-Oct-15 30-Sep-14 30-Sep-14 29-Jul-15

December, 2011 emerged as the winner of a competitive bid process with a bid value of circa N3, 243 billion, which represents a per share value of Nl.13 (Premium of 126 per cent to the market price of NO .50). The transaction value underscores the value inherent in one of Nigeria’s oldest insurance companies with attractive real estate portfolio and no debt on its balance sheet. According to the Chief Executive Officer of GNI, Mrs. Cecilia Osipitan, “The consummation of this transaction, which represents the conclusion of a transaction process that started in 2011 will enable the current Board and Management of GNI focus on unlocking the inherent value in the company with a view to delivering strong shareholder returns. This will be delivered through consolidation of market share in identified niche markets, excellent customer service, prompt claims payment and aggressive Investment inDescription Issue Date come”.

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

*AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

FGN

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

B-/Fitch; B/S&P B-/Fitch; B/S&P B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

Commercial Papers

A-/Agusto

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PLC

Description

Issue Date

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.25 AUG 07, 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

07-Aug-13 24-Jun-14 23-Jul-14

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

UPDC CP 18-OCT-16

0.60

03-Apr-17

0.31

19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21 09-Dec-21 16-Feb-22 27-Feb-22 30-Mar-22 31-Mar-22 27-May-22

0.53 0.49 1.23 1.27 1.28 1.24 1.25 1.43 1.84 3.12 1.81 4.14 4.23 2.46 2.49 3.04 3.25 3.28 3.39 6.46 3.37

units valued at N25.821 million transacted the previous week in 45 deals. A total of 580 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N576,723.03 were traded in two deals compared to a Risk total of Valuation 2,023 unitsModelled of Federal Price Premium Yield (%) (%) Government Bonds valued at N1.925 million transacted the previous week in four deals. 6406.155565

#

2.94

1.00 5.71 2.39 1.00 1.00 3.82 3.56 3.82 2.02 2.01 1.00 1.30 3.76 2.53 1.00 1.52 4.01 1.00 2.52 1.79 3.04

20.69 25.10 22.49 20.95 20.91 23.89 23.61 23.20 19.86 16.86 18.97 16.30 18.75 18.08 16.46 16.33 18.92 15.93 17.50 16.73 18.01

94.84 95.03 91.20 92.71 92.70 90.68 90.41 91.28 93.73 94.39 93.88 91.75 89.28 93.38 97.16 98.10 94.52 101.30 99.98 100.92 97.59

5.53 112.22 116.70 66.49 20.00 0.36 3.60

25-Oct-16 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17 30-Sep-17 30-Nov-17 09-Apr-18

0.05 0.17 0.53 0.75 0.98 0.66 0.76

1.34 1.00 3.55 5.25 1.88 1.88 3.15

19.59 17.18 23.24 25.52 22.79 21.91 23.44

99.68 99.66 96.77 94.07 91.79 98.46 95.30

1.45 0.40 35.00 1.50 0.23 3.75 23.19 2.05

09-Sep-18 09-Sep-18 30-Sep-18 18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19 01-Apr-19 06-Nov-20 14-Nov-20

1.17 1.17 1.98 1.03 1.36 1.48 4.08 4.10

6.35 1.00 1.17 4.42 6.11 3.28 4.47 1.00

26.69 21.34 18.50 25.27 25.72 22.45 19.47 16.00

91.94 94.83 92.79 92.18 91.73 92.44 87.75 99.22

15.50 14.25 16.45 16.48

9.76 26.00 30.50 30.00

04-Dec-20 20-Nov-21 30-Dec-21 13-May-22

2.60 5.12 5.23 5.60

3.55 2.51 1.00 1.00

18.83 17.46 15.95 15.95

93.54 89.37 101.67 101.85

16.00 16.29 13.25

10.00 0.10 15.44

26-Oct-22 30-Sep-24 30-Sep-24

3.77 7.98 7.98

2.77 1.00 1.00

17.79 16.16 16.16

95.43 100.54 87.18

14.90

7.82

29-Jul-30

9.20

1.00

16.27

93.93

14.75

9.02

10-Oct-20

2.22

3.37

19.80

91.55

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

1.35

1.00

17.88

91.12

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

2.57

1.00

14.15

94.03

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($’mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

6.68

6.45

100.23

101.09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.87

4.42

100.42

101.17

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.83

6.67

97.54

98.40

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

8.41

8.41

99.12

99.12

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

23.03

20.87

79.63

82.00

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.47

6.47

99.10

99.10

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

7.26

7.26

97.70

97.70

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

22.35

22.35

74.13

74.13

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

07-Aug-20 24-Jun-21 23-Jul-21

13.23 11.94 14.36

12.67 11.62 14.36

85.01 90.16 78.00

86.51 91.20 78.00

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

12.23

11.76

84.88

86.63

In a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the group’s profit after tax grew to N4.697 billion from N1.910 billion in the same period of last year, indicating a growth of 145.92 per cent. Profit before tax grew by 65.3 per cent from N2.397 billion in Q3 2015 to N 3.962 billion in Q3 2016. Its gross earnings rose to N5.689 billion, compared to

*OSUN

Issuer

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

57.00 11.33 25.00 19.37 3.49 9.45 7.01 18.70 11.14 80.00 19.40 87.50 5.00 3.74 3.76 14.37 4.17 4.30 27.10 3.00 7.34

nited Capital Plc (formerly UBA Capital Plc) has posted 145.92 per cent increase in net earnings for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016.

BBB-/Agusto

Rating/Agency

higher than 32 equities of the previous week, while one 123 equities remained unchanged higher than 113 equities recorded in the preceding week. Also traded last week were a total of 184 units of Exchange Traded Products Outstanding Maturity Date Value (₦’bn) (ETPs) valued at N2,077.37 executed in 16 deals, compared 0.60 with a total of 4.761 million 0.60

United Capital records 146% Q3 PAT growth 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00 15.50 16.50 16.50 17.50 17.00 17.00

LAGOS 19-APR-2017 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 EDO 31-DEC-2017 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 OYO 16-FEB-2022 BENUE 27-FEB-2022 PLATEAU 30-MAR-2022 KOGI II 31-MAR-2022 CROSS RIVER 27-MAY-2022

lRCSL closes 75% acquisition stake in GNI *FCMB UBA FIDELITY

17.25

19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 31-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14 09-Dec-14 17-Feb-15 27-Feb-15 30-Mar-15 01-Apr-15 27-May-15

10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00 15.50 16.50 16.50 17.50 17.00 17.00

Price

N4.088 billion last year, an increase of 39.16 per cent. United Capital recorded 155 per cent increase in net earnings for the half year ended June 30, 2016. The group’s profit after tax grew to N3.591 billion from N1.408 billion in the 422.14period of last year, insame 396.51 dicating a growth of 155.04 per cent. Profit before tax grew by 44.02 per cent from N1.792 billion in H1 2015 to N 2.581 billion in H1 2016. Its gross earnings rose to N3.655 billion, compared to N2.750 billion last year, a

growth of 32.90 per cent. The firm reported 61 per cent increase in net earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016. The group’s profit after tax grew to N1.137 billion from N707.424 million in the same period of last year, depicting a growth of 60.72 per cent. Profit before tax grew by 59.22 per cent from N892.451 million in Q1 2015 to N 1.421 billion in Q1 2016. Its gross earnings rose to N1.856 billion, compared to N1.306 billion last year, a growth of 42.1per cent.

Infinity Trust reports marginal drop in pretax profit

I

nfinity Trust Mortgage Bank (ITMB) 522.09 500.98 Plc has recorded 6.87 per cent decline in profit before tax for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016. 9.02 According to a notice from the Nige8.26 rian Stock Exchange (NSE), the statement of financial position as at the period under review showed 24.95 profit before tax 23.11 million in 2016 as was down to N198.440 against N213.079 million recorded a year earlier, depicting a drop of 6.87 per cent. However, the company’s profit after tax firmed up marginally by 0.79 per cent from N181.117 million in 2015 to N182.565 1,500.00 million recorded in 2016. 1,490.92 The company’s revenue equally rose to N581.767 million in contrast to N555.245 million during the comparable period of 2015. ITMB recorded 29.49 per cent growth in profit after tax for the half year ended June 30, 2016. 3,150.00 2,797.77 The statement of financial position showed profit after tax roseMaturity to N134.668 Outstanding Yield @ Issue (%) Date Value (₦’bn) million in 2016 as against N103.996 mil-

18-Apr-16

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

11.00

16.80

18-Oct-16

lion recorded a year earlier, indicating a growth of 29.49 per cent. Its profit before tax also firmed up by 29.49 per cent from N116.850 million in 2015 to N151.312 million recorded in 2016. The company’s revenue equally grew to N401.082 million in contrast to N333.703 million during the comparable period of 2015, while its earnings per share also rose by 29.46 per cent from 4.99 kobo to 6.46 kobo. Prices & Yields Infinity Trust recorded a profit after tax of N232.147 million for the year ended 2015. According to the bank, it also maintained a rating status of short-term A3 and long-term BB+ positive outlook by the Global Credit Ratings for the third successive time. The Managing Director/Chief Operating Officer, ITMB Plc, Mr. Olabanjo Obaleye, who disclosed this at the company’s third Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Risk Abuja, stated thatValuation the feat achieved by the Discount Rate (%) Premium Yield (%) bank was(%)not without challenges. #

DTM

11

2.03

20.61

20.49

7-Oct-16

16.80

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the Money “Information”). The Information does not constitute professional, financial or FIXINGS Market Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) investment advice. Information is accurate; however, the(%) Information is provided “AS IS” (%) and on an Bid “ASYield AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, DTM We attempt to ensure the Maturity Bid Discount Offer Discount (%) Tenor Rate (%) NIBOR 13 20-Oct-16 14.23 13.98 14.31 performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information. OBB 15.67 Tenor Closing Rate ($/N)

**TREASURY BILLS^

20 27 41 55 62 69 83 90 Rating/Agency 104 118 132 139 146 153 160 167 174 181 188 195 209 216 230 237 251 265 272 279 286 293 300 307 314 321 328 342 349

27-Oct-16 3-Nov-16 17-Nov-16 1-Dec-16 8-Dec-16 15-Dec-16 29-Dec-16 Issuer 5-Jan-17 19-Jan-17 2-Feb-17 16-Feb-17 23-Feb-17 2-Mar-17 9-Mar-17 16-Mar-17 23-Mar-17 30-Mar-17 6-Apr-17 13-Apr-17 20-Apr-17 4-May-17 11-May-17 25-May-17 1-Jun-17 15-Jun-17 29-Jun-17 6-Jul-17 13-Jul-17 20-Jul-17 27-Jul-17 3-Aug-17 10-Aug-17 17-Aug-17 24-Aug-17 31-Aug-17 14-Sep-17 21-Sep-17

Rating/Agency

Issuer

FGN Bonds

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

16.33 17.01 15.99 16.31 14.89 15.36 15.36 Description 13.91 14.40 17.98 15.10 27-APR-201717.29 9.85 27-JUL-2017 17.57 17.99 9.35 31-AUG-2017 17.63 10.70 30-MAY-201817.27 17.46 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 17.65 7.00 23-OCT-2019 17.85 16.49 ^15.54 13-FEB-2020 15.99 14.50 15-JUL-2021 18.08 ^16.39 27-JAN-202216.58 17.68 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 18.00 ^12.50 22-JAN-202617.91 15.00 28-NOV-202817.83 18.37 12.49 22-MAY-202917.17 8.50 20-NOV-2029 17.62 ^10.00 23-JUL-203017.01 18.23 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 18.27 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036 18.31 18.23 18.19 18.23 18.27

16.08 16.76 15.74 16.06 14.64 15.11 15.11 13.66 Issue Date 14.15 17.73 27-Apr-12 17.04 17.32 27-Jul-07 17.74 31-Aug-07 17.38 17.02 30-May-08 17.21 29-Jun-12 17.40 23-Oct-09 17.60 16.24 13-Feb-15 15.74 13-Jul-16 17.83 16.33 27-Jan-12 17.43 14-Mar-14 17.75 22-Jan-16 17.66 17.58 28-Nov-08 18.12 22-May-09 16.92 20-Nov-09 17.37 16.76 23-Jul-10 17.98 18-Jul-14 18.02 18-Mar-16 18.06 17.98 17.94 17.98 18.02

Description

*for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the TTM

16.48

17.23 Bonds 16.29

16.72 15.28 15.81 15.92 14.41 (%) Coupon 15.02 19.09 15.10 18.44 18.83 9.85 19.39 9.35 19.04 18.68 10.70 18.98 16.00 19.28 7.00 19.58 18.02 15.54 17.48 14.50 20.17 18.38 16.39 19.89 14.20 20.38 12.50 20.43 20.47 15.00 21.28 12.49 19.76 8.50 20.44 19.71 10.00 21.44 12.15 21.58 12.4000 21.73 21.71 21.74 21.99 22.14

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 16.5417 17.6498 18.6625 20.3649

O/N

Outstanding Maturity Date Value (₦’bn) NITTY Tenor 480.13 1M 2M 20.00 3M 100.00 6M 9M 300.00 12M 351.30

16.17

REPO

Rate (%) 27-Apr-17 16.7820 16.9259 27-Jul-17 17.1619 31-Aug-17 19.5091 20.7663 30-May-18 22.2116 29-Jun-19

233.90 23-Oct-19 606.43 13-Feb-20 NIFEX 210.59 15-Jul-21 Current Price ($/N) 605.31 27-Jan-22 NIFEX Rate 323.1250 719.99 14-Mar-24 421.02 22-Jan-26 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 1075.92 18-Jul-34 310.00 18-Mar-36

Tenor Call 1M TTM3M (Yrs) 6M

Rate (%) 16.33 17.00 17.67 (%) Bid Yield 18.67

0.55 19.75 19.44 NOTE: 0.80 20.43 20.21 :Benchmarks 0.90 20.69 20.48 * :Amortising Bond µ :Convertible 1.64 Bond 18.57 18.45 AMCON: Asset Corporation of Nigeria 2.72 Management 14.58 14.51 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 3.04 Mortgage Bank 14.81 14.67 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria IFC: International Finance Corporation 3.35 15.05 14.93 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 4.77 14.96 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company14.87 5.31 14.93 14.85 O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 7.43 15.11 15.04 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 9.29 15.29 15.22 12.14 15.22 15.16 12.62 15.21 15.14 13.12 15.19 15.12 13.79 15.18 15.11 17.78 15.08 15.02 19.44 15.36 15.30

6,451.16

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

FMBN

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

03-Apr-12

17.25

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

0.60

03-Apr-17

0.31

2.94

18.95

99.45

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Modified Duration Buckets

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto‡ ; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A-/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR† Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto‡

Porfolio Market Value (₦’bn)

<3 3<5 LAGOS >5 *BAYELSA Market EDO *DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020

958.70 1,327.60 1,298.45 3,584.74

Total Outstanding Volume (₦’bn)

957.73 1,325.30 1,667.49 3,950.52

Weighting by Outstanding Volume

24.24

19-Apr-10 33.55 42.21 30-Jun-10 100.00 31-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13

Price

97.63 97.78 92.44 92.59 NA :Not Applicable 91.08 91.23 ^ : Market Prices # : Floating 89.21 Rate Bond 89.36 ***: Deferred 103.03 coupon bonds 103.18 DTM: Days-To-Maturity 81.40 81.70 TTM: Term-To-Maturity ‡ : Bond rating under review 101.51 101.21 †: Bond rating expired 98.40 98.70 N/A :Not Available {r} :Issuer in receivership 105.16 105.46 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 95.98 96.28 UBA: United Bank for Africa 86.35 86.65 98.76 99.06 84.91 85.21 62.37 62.67 70.38 70.68 81.99 82.29 81.81 82.11

6406.155565

Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Nil

Bid Price

306.75 324.74 325.98 Price 328.82 334.14 339.45 355.41Offer 388.20

5,806.07

#

Agency Bonds

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M Offer3M Yield 6M (%) 1Y

Weighting by Mkt Value

26.74

10.00 37.03 13.75 36.22 100.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50

0.60 0.60

Bucket Weighting

0.24

57.00 0.34 11.33 0.42 25.00 1.00 19.37 3.49 9.45 7.01 18.70 11.14 80.00 19.40 87.50 5.00 3.74

% Exposure_ Mod_Duration

12.66

19-Apr-17 29.61 57.73 30-Jun-17 100.00 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20

Implied Yield

15.62

0.53 15.04 15.11 0.49 15.15 1.23 1.27 1.28 1.24 1.25 1.43 1.84 3.12 1.81 4.14 4.23 2.46

Implied Portfolio Price

134.9880 1.00 148.5347 109.3355 5.71 128.7048 2.39

1.00 1.00 3.82 3.56 3.82 2.02 2.01 1.00 1.30 3.76 2.53

INDEX

1,228.08 20.69 1,287.71 1,318.15 25.10 1,225.61 22.49

20.95 20.91 23.89 23.61 23.20 19.86 16.86 18.97 16.30 18.75 18.08

YTD Return (%)

10.8524

94.8427.1719 95.0330.8968 91.2016.1510 92.71 92.70 90.68 90.41 91.28 93.73 94.39 93.88 91.75 89.28 93.38


Iweten

34

BUSINESS | Interview

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Govt failing in meeting Dr. Meckson Innocent Okoro is the Principal Partner, M.I.Okoro & Associates. In this Interview with DAYO AYEYEMI, he speaks on how government can promote social housing in the country; the need for virile mortgage sector, ways to reducing vacant houses and how to initiate effective Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to enhance housing delivery, among others.

H

I don’t believe that the Federal Government should go into direct construction of housing delivery; they cannot do it successfully

ow would you assess the mortgage industry in Nigeria? There is no mortgage in the country. I have been advocating an affective mortgage system. When we have a mortgage system that works, it means that workers can take loan to build their houses and pay back in 25 to 30 years. They won’t know they are paying. But what we have seen in this country is that commercial banks are offering mortgage loans for payback period of two to three years. Commercial banks can never give mortgage loans because they can’t match short-term fund with long-term lending. It is not possible. It is a mismatch. If they do it, they will collapse. So, that is why government must create a special mortgage. They can call it private mortgage institution to access loans from Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to do what Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is doing for commercial banks. Then, mortgage banks can be supervised by FMBN. The end is to ensure that money is given to people that needed it for purposes of real estate delivery. Though we have primary mortgage banks in Nigeria, they are not properly funded. They are struggling. Who should fund them? That is what I mean that government can create a situation where there is capital base for the outlets before they can be licensed. They can call for merger because, I am tempted to say that no single primary mortgage institution is properly funded to the extent of delivering houses because housing project is capital-intensive. So, no single mortgage institution can boast of being in a position to fund it. They don’t have the financial muscle. So, it is either government makes a policy where two or three mortgage banks merge to create a deep pool of fund. Besides this, government can fund them through the Federal Mortgage Bank to make sure they lend to those who need it to be able to build more houses. Unless we get to that level, we won’t be able to make progress. How about the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company set up almost three years ago for effective mortgage refinancing? Well, I am telling you that those things are on papers. I have not seen anything. If someone like me has not seen it work, it means it does not exist. You know we are in the business of real estate. We are in the business of pedigree, matching demand with supply. The general complaint is that people don’t have money. There is no money to embark on high-scale real estate delivery in the country. So, that is why property will continue to increase in prices because supply has not been matched with demand. A few people are in the delivery side, that is the challenge.

Minister of Housing has envisaged a national housing programme that encompasses different designs for each zone. What is your take? I know Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Housing, is a man with high vision; if he says he is going to create national design for housing, I would say ‘Yes, he can!’ However, he needs support of those in the building industry to achieve this. He has not told us how he is going to mobilise money. He should not just have national design for house because he cannot have uniform design for all because we live different lifestyles. He must be careful, as I cannot talk deeply about it since I have not accessed the necessary information under the policy. He has to be careful because of our different cultural backgrounds. An average northerner, for instance, has his own standard of living when it comes to housing style than an average southerner. So, how is he going to match these national designs to accommodate the lifestyle of northerners and that of southerners? Even within southerners, we still have different lifestyles so that the Federal Government is going to begin from state and local governments. And if it is in doubt that state will not deliver, the Federal Governments should give that money to the local government and charge them to develop housing for the teeming population in their regions. I think if the Federal Government does that, it may stand more realistic than saying that they are going to create national housing standards. Housing budget in 2016 is about N35 billion compared to previous years. How do you think this money can make impact in the sector? The truth is that having the budget is one thing and having a policy for social housing is another thing. I have not been privileged to access information that relates to government’s plan on social housing. Anything short of social housing, even if government budgets N300 billion for the sector, is a jamboree. It appears government is failing in meeting the social housing gap in the country. So, we want to see details of plans for social housing. How can a common man have access to land and housing provided by government? So, this is the policy that government should focus on. Government should look for policy, where social housing can thrive in Nigeria. The big man can take care

of himself, the middle class can also take care of himself, but how can we close the gap between the middle class and the common man? I don’t believe that the Federal Government should go into direct construction of housing delivery; they cannot do it successfully. They tried to do it before but it did not work. Some of the public-private partnership (PPP) schemes in the housing sector have failed to deliver. What is responsible? They cannot deliver because the PPP that I know is that government always wants to maximise profit. It is wrong. PPPs should have been based on calling people to deliver houses at the lowest cost. Government should have provided land and all the infrastructures needed for houses to be provided so that the cost of unit per delivery will be very low. If the cost per unit is very low, then, developers must be forced to sell at cheapest rates. When they do that, they become a specialty, where developer can sell at any amount of money without government challenging them. So, I have not seen impacts of PPP in housing. The PPP we advocate is the one, where government will deliver land, infrastructure and cost; then, developer will come in. Even we look at a situation, when developer can attract loan in-


BUSINESS | Interview

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

social housing demand’ There is no alternative to shelter. You must demand for house just as people demand for food. The only thing is that quality of the food may reduce or the number of time you eat may reduce. As you must have clothing, you must have shelter. So, anybody that wants to develop property for investment should go ahead and do that. What I may not advise is for somebody to borrow money to build now. If you do that and something happens, you can’t sell quickly because the bank wants to recover its money and demand has dropped. At the end, bank may foreclose on your property. Even bank cannot sell, even if it does, it can only sell at a reduced price that may not be enough to cover what you borrowed.

terest fund to deliver houses so that at the end, the cost per unit will be very cheap and affordable by common man. That is the essence of PPP. It is not the process where government is coming in to make so much money at the expense of private developer and common man. Current recession has reduced real estate’ s investment. How would you assess the situation? The situation is not that hopeless. People are still demanding for houses, accommodation is still changing hands, transactions are still changing hands, but the fact is that frequency of demand has reduced because of the face of economy. Unfortunately, even as tenants are finding it difficult to pay their rents, landlords are also showing understanding because they are not so aggressive as to recovering rents because they understand that economy is not very conducive now. But generally, there is a complete drop on the sale value, as demand is not up to 40 per cent. It is a very serious issue. However, I would not say that anybody that wants to develop property should not develop now because it is a momentary situation that will not last forever, it will fizzle out. Whether we like it or not, one thing that is constant is that there will always be demand for shelter.

Why do you think developers concentrate most of their construction activities in high-end locations of Lagos and Abuja at the detriment of low-income neighbourhoods? The truth is that those people you see to have developed in high-end areas of Lagos - Lekki, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Abuja are mainly entrepreneurs. These are people, who identified opportunities and borrowed money to develop and to sell in order to recover their spending. These are private people. They are not building houses for common man; it is the business of government to build houses for the common man and not entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are interested in maximising profits. Government can create agencies that can meet a demand for the low-class or workingclass people as it is done in Britain, where they have council houses. Local government can do that, we call it social housing and make sure it is not strictly for profit motive. So we must draw a line between building for profit motive and building to accommodate mass population. Government can do it at a reduced cost for people who are working and mortgage can be arranged for them for 30 years to ensure that what they are paying is minimal. They won’t even know they are paying. When Nigerians graduate to this level, then, we will know that Nigeria is performing. As at now, government is not interested, even they build houses, the cost is much higher than that of private developers. There is a gap that must be met. I can

35

tell you convincingly, today, that it is not the duty of entrepreneurs, who want to maximise profit to build houses for common man. It should be the responsibility of government. Government should not be trading in property; it is expected of government to come in to fill a gap left by businessmen. But in Nigeria, authority expects entrepreneurs to build for common man while government is maximising profit. This is wrong; it is not supposed to be. Why is government collecting taxes? Why are people paying taxes? Government can use those taxes to develop houses. As a matter of fact, every state in the federation must strive to develop low-priced real estate delivery- purely for social housing - that will accommodate the population that cannot compete for houses being built by entrepreneurs. We still have a lot of vacant houses in high profiled locations of Lagos and Abuja. Some people have alleged that some of these houses were built with stolen fund? What is your view? Before these people borrow money to build houses, they have done some projections and payback period based on the cash-flow. So, you don’t expect them to sell below their projections because the economy is bad. Rather, they will allow the property to be there. If government feels that some people stole money to build houses, it should cash in on that and if the authority has identified such people, government can acquire the property from them and actually auction the houses or put them on lease for tenants to accommodate lowtenant individuals. That is the way to go! Tell us about Lekki County Homes? Lekki County Homes are products of Megamound Investment Limited. They have them in several locations. They are now doing Lekki County. This will comprise over 1000 housing units. Again, it is not for common man, but its developer is trying to meet middle and upper classes. Also, our firm has been fully appointed to assist in the marketing of the estate to the general public. It is an opportunity for us to gauge the performance of the country by addressing housing needs of the middle and upper classes of the society to be able to advise further what government needs to do to encourage people or developer to create for the masses through a special arrangement with the Federal Government.

CV Company: M.I. Okoro and Associates Founded: 1991 Membership: Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers(NIESV), Institute of Construction Industries Arbitrators (ICIA), Institute of Directors (IOD), Association of Professionals Association of Nigeria (APBN) CEO: M.I. Okoro and Associates Born: 1957 Education: University of Lagos Career: property consultant to NNPC, United States of America Embassy, Lagos Consulate; Consultant and valuer for the valuation of the assets of the Ikoyi Club, 1938 Lagos; Marketing Agent, Goshen Beach Estate, Tejuosho Ultra-Modern Shopping Complex, Lekki County Homes, among others. Fellow of NIESV, IOD and ICIA. Training: Local and international trainings in valuation, real estate development, services and management.

Every state in the federation must strive to develop lowpriced real estate deliverypurely for social housing


36

BUSINESS | MONEYLINE

Rising Local currency declined by 12.32 per cent on parallel market last month

Tony Chukwunyem

T

he continued pressure on the value of the naira could result in September inflation hitting 18.14 per cent from the 17.61 per cent recorded in August, analysts at First Security Discount House (FSDH) have predicted. In a note obtained by New Telegraph, the experts said: “We expect the September 2016 inflation rate (year-on-year) to increase further to 18.14per cent from 17.61per cent recorded in the month of August 2016. Most of the divisions, which contribute to the headline inflation are expected to rise as a result of the continued pressure on the value of the naira.” They stated that from data available to them, the value of the naira appreciated at the inter-bank market by 1.48per cent while it depreciated at the parallel market by 12.32per cent in September 2016. They also noted that the local currency gained N4.62 to close at N311.62/$ on the inter-bank market while it lost N59 to close at $479 on the parallel market. According to the analysts: “The depreciation recorded in the exchange rate in the parallel market between the two months and higher prices in the international market

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Naira pressure may push Sept inflation to 18.4%’ would continue to put further pressure on domestic prices.” They pointed out that the prices of most of the food items that FSDH Research monitored in September 2016 increased, with the prices of onions, tomatoes, beans, sweet potatoes, fish, vegetable oil, garri, palm oil, Irish potatoes, rice and yam rising by 51.67per cent, 28.62per cent, 26.19per cent, 20.47per cent, 13.49per cent, 13.02per

cent, 11.43per cent, 12.79per cent, 10per cent, 5.56per cent and 4.76per cent respectively. “The movement in the prices of food items during the month resulted in a 1.25per cent increase in our Food and Non-Alcoholic Index to 212.06 points. We also noticed increases in Clothing and Footwear; Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels divisions between August and

S

vide a platform for Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) to fashion out the right economic agenda to take the nation out of the current economic downturn. It would be recalled that the bank has remained consistent in the promotion of Made-inNigeria products. Recently, Sterling Bank sponsored the Made-In-Nigeria week held in Lagos. The lender is also in partnership with Innoson Motors Limited to finance the purchase of locally made vehicles produced by the company. In addition, Sterling Bank financed Labana Rice, one of the largest rice mills in the country and also bought large quantity for staff and stakeholders in the bank. Driving this initiative down to her staff, the lender has insti-

terling Bank Plc has renewed its commitment to the promotion of Made-In-Nigeria goods and services, as the lender supports the 2016 edition of the Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#22). The summit themed ‘Made in Nigeria’ is scheduled to hold from October 10 to 12, 2016 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. Sterling Bank, in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos at the weekend, gave assurance that it would continue to invest in and partner with like minds to promote the production and consumption of locally made goods and services. It added that its sponsorship is also hinged on the fact that the event would pro-

As at N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 17.61 14 10.77 US$50.89 US$24,420,580,178

Tenor (Days) Call 30 90 180

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 104.65 114.59 111.96 120.58 109.60 100.54 83.82 97.56

1.07 3.24 3.87 5.82 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.29

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.4583 9.1071 11.0102 12.3790

Bid Yield 10.38 10.55 11.60 11.44 12.27 12.40 12.44 12.49

Change (%) -2.50 ▼ -0.74 ▼ -0.65 ▼ -0.68 ▼

M Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

Price 104.80 114.89 112.26 120.88 109.90 100.84 84.12 97.86

Tenor (Months)

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

NITTY

Rate (%) 6.9949 7.2368 8.0819 9.2061 9.5872 10.5042

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 10.24 10.45 11.51 11.38 12.22 12.34 12.39 12.44

Change (%) 1.12 ▲ -0.27 ▼ -0.17 ▼ -0.11 ▼ 0.03 ▲ 0.42 ▲

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 7.67 7.82 -0.51 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 3.83 30-Jun-16 7.92 8.08 -0.51 ▼ 6-Oct-16 8.59 8.34 8.71 -0.31 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 4.33 8.99 -0.31 ▼ 16-Mar-17 9.36 10.28 -0.07 ▼ 9.11 9.98 -0.07 ▼

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.14

FX

Offer 199.24

Change (%) 0.57 ▲

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016 Spot($/N)

196.00

197.00

tuted a ‘Made - in- Nigeria Week’ when staff come to the office dressed in locally made attires. Held annually, NES attracts over a thousand delegates including chief executives, opinion leaders and policy level managers from the public and private sectors to interact and share thoughts on issues of national importance. The Bank in the statement explained that its strategic support for the promotion of was informed by the current economic headwinds and exchange rate volatility fueled by the fall in oil price, which brought to the fore, the need to diversify the nation’s revenue base and support the manufacturing sector through the patronage and use of locally made products and services. Also, the bank noted that the patronage of local manufacturers would boost the local economy, adding that this partnership

was one of the numerous projects the bank is embarking on to enrich the lives of Nigerians. The lender said: “The country’s dependence on oil exports for foreign exchange and the global oil sector downturn driven by the falling oil price has led to much talked about economic recession in the country and has negatively impacted other sectors with prices of imported products rising significantly. While acknowledging that the challenges facing the economy also provide a platform for proactive companies to seize the opportunity to promote indigenous products and local substitutes, the lender called on the Federal Government to provide the necessary infrastructure to encourage the establishment of manufacturing companies in the country as well as put in place a tax regime that would encourage foreign direct investment.

Heritage Bank’s CEO bags award

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 August, 2016 26/09/2016 Mar 2015 4/10/2016 4/10/2016

Source:CBN

Description 15.10 27-APR-2017 16.00 29-JUN-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 12.50 22-JAN-2026 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

pected to release the inflation rate for the month of September 2016 on October 15, 2016. The NBS’ release of August inflation data, which showed that the inflation rate rose by 0.48 percentage point from 17.13per cent to 17.61per cent, indicating the slowest increase in 2016, had fuelled speculation in some quarters that September inflation would not be above 18 per cent.

‘Sterling Bank is supporting NESG’

Economic Indicators M2* CPS* INF MPR 91-day NTB Bonny Light Ext Res**

September 2016. Our model indicates that the price movements in the consumer goods and services in September 2016 would increase the Composite Consumer Price Index (CCPI) to 208.46 points, representing a month-on-month increase of 1.05per cent,” the experts stated. Based on the data calendar on its website, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is ex-

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

anaging Director/ Chief Executive of Heritage Bank Plc, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, has been conferred with “Outstanding Achiever in the banking industry” award at the Applause Achievers Awards 2016 organised by the Salvation Crusaders Media. The Applause Achievers Awards and Talent Empowerment is the second edition of the Applause Achievers Awards, which was first held on April 11, 2015. The event, according to a statement from the lender, was organised to recognise select individuals from different walks of life and to encourage their commendable commitment to bringing positive change into the society. Mr. Sekibo said the event was remarkable for two reasons: Firstly, “as we are celebrating the 56th Independence of our great country Nigeria, we all know the challenging times our nation is facing and this period calls for a reigniting of our entrepreneurial spirit towards moving our nation forward to its rightful place. Therefore, any event that will recognise achievers and empower entrepreneurs will be most appropriate. “Secondly, the talent empowerment aspect of this also aligns

with the strategic drive of Heritage Bank to support the growth agenda of the CBN/government especially for the youth of this country.” Mr. Sekibo who was represented by Mrs. Ori Ogba, Divisional Head, Retail/Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) of the bank, said Heritage Bank is a generational Nigerian bank with an excellent service culture hinged on working with each customer to create a name and heritage for today and for future generations with the ideals of Service, Performance, Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Tenacity and Excellence forming its core values. He added that Heritage Bank from inception decided to do business differently, noting that its paradigm is that it is a service organisation in the business of banking, a development, which drives overall vision to create, grow and transfer wealth across generations. “This places us squarely in the path to developing, nurturing and rewarding talents. We believe in every individual and indeed organisation leaving a footprint; a legacy in whatever sphere you find yourself,” Mr. Sekibo remarked, adding that this requires tenacity, discipline, integrity, innovation, excellence and the passion to succeed.


national | news

monday, october 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

37

FG confident of turning economy around

T

he Federal Government has vowed to do everything required to bring Nigeria back to the path of growth with the right support; saying that Nigeria will not fail. Speaking on the sidelines of the plenary session of the 2016 IMF/World Bank meeting in Washington DC, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, stated that “Nigeria is too big to fail and too significant in the region to underperform.” Adeosun said that the government was determined to rewrite Nigeria’s economic story by growing critical infrastructure like power, transport and housing. “This is why we are redirecting expenditure from recurrent where we thought there have been a

lot of wastages and leakages. “Redirecting spending to capital to create long term value is tough in the short term but the long term benefits will be there for the future generation. “We are confident of getting back to growth with the right support,” she said. Adeosun said that if “we invest in critical infrastructure, there would be increased productivity, which will lead to job creation and prosperity for the people.” Adeosun said that Nigeria has aligned with the views of the IMF and World Bank with regards to inclusive growth, stating that inclusive growth was one of the objectives of this administration to end poverty. “Government is invest-

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

Adai

I, formerly known and addressed as Maryam Mohammad now wish to be known and addressed as Mary Adai. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Abraham

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ola Oluwabukola Mary now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abraham Oluwabukola Mary. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

Ogidan

I, formerly known and addressed as Dada Olaitan now wish to be known and addressed as Ogidan Mukandasi Olaitan. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Oluoma

I, formerly known and addressed as Egbujor Felicia now wish to be known and addressed as Egbujor Felicia Oluoma. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Banjoko

I, formerly known and addressed as Agunbiade Adesola Yewande now wish to be known and addressed as Banjoko Adesola Yewande. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

ing heavily in education and as part of our social intervention programme, we aim to engage more young graduates into teaching in primary schools. “I am sure that we will soon start seeing improvements in our education indices. “We are also pumping money into agriculture. We also try to encourage women in agriculture; Women are the key espe-

cially in agriculture so we are giving small business loans on agriculture. “Bank of Industry has assured that it will start disbursing micro loans to women so there is a great focus on women,” she said. On his part, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr Godwin Emefiele, said Nigeria has taken the IMF advice for a three pronged comprehensive approach of

monetary, fiscal and structural reforms to revive the economy. “This is the way everybody has to go and we are doing that in Nigeria. There is serious collaboration between the monetary and fiscal authorities and if we continue in this direction we will achieve these objectives,” he said. Commenting on whether the financial sector reforms has being

Melaye criticises DSS on judges’arrest Forgery case, a shadow chasing, says PDP Chukwu David Abuja

C

hairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Dino Melaye, yesterday, condemned invasion of the residences and arrest of some Judges by the Department of State Services, (DSS), saying that the agency acted outside its core mandate. Melaye, representing Kogi West on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a statement he issued in Abuja, said that although there was need to rid the

judiciary of corruption, the approach adopted by President Muhammadu Buhari was totally wrong and unacceptable in a democracy. He stated that, even though Judges had no immunity and would be tried, the use of DSS by government was absolutely wrong and condemnable. He said: "I have studied the Act setting up DSS, Nigerian Intelligence Agency and DIA and can conclude that the DSS operatives went outside their core mandate. There is no doubt that many Judges are corrupt."

Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the withdrawal of the forgery case against the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and two others, by the Federal Government, as shadow chasing. The two leaders of the senate and former Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikaswau and Deputy Clerk, were charged to court for allegedly forging Senate Standing Rule upon which Sara-

Adenike

PUBLIC NOTICE

WORDROYAL DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY

0803 774 8268, 0909 127 0007 Suite C14, 82 Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos State

PUBLIC NOTICE

TEACH THEM TO FISH INITIATIVE This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission under Part "C" of the Companies and Allied Matters Act N0. 1 of 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Azhee Mikang Akinrin 2. Babatunde Akinwumi Akinrin AIM AND OBJECTIVE ARE: 1. Equip Nigerian youths with the training and mentorship required to establish a viable and sustainable business. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Secretary

ki and Ekweremadu were elected principal officers of the senate last year. The case was withdrawn last week by the lead Counsel, Aliyu Umar (SAN), who explained that the withdrawal was on grounds of respect for the rule of law and hierarchy of the judiciary. But PDP in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, yesterday, said it was amused by the sudden realization by "the Federal Government that the so called ‘Rule-Forgery Case’ was a shadow chase from the beginning. It was complete nothingness!" R-L: Keynote Speaker/ Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (Rtd.); Chairman, Board of Trustees, Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA), Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.) and National President, Dr. Umaru Abdulmutallab. during Boba's 2016 Annual Lecture and Dinner, in Abuja…at the weekend.

I, formerly known and addressed as Adeniji Abimbola now wish to be known and addressed as Adeniji Abimbola Adenike. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

The general public is hereby informed that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part 'C' of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Akinremi Olabisi Oluwashina 2. Akinremi Adenike Mojisola 3. Olatunji Ganiyat Omolade AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. To operate worship and outreach centres for the edification of the body of Christ and winning souls. 3. To promote knowledge and learning and raise role models. 4. To help the poor and needy, and do philanthropic works. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: The Solicitor

enjoying a buy-in from potential investors, Emefiele said with the recent CBN reforms he was sure that investments would begin to come in. “When you have the kind of situation that we have, naturally people will be a bit skeptical, but with time as they develop more confidence we will begin to see more and more of them coming into the country.

PHOTO: NAN

I've forgiven my traducers –Ekweremadu Chukwu David Abuja

T

he Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has said that he has forgiven those behind his arraignment for a crime he never contemplated. He noted that he placed the larger interest of the country above his personal interest and feelings. That was even as he admonished those in positions of authority to adhere to their oaths of office to be just to all. Ekweremadu’s position came in a statement he personally signed, following the withdrawal of charges of criminal conspiracy and forgery preferred against him

and the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki and two other former senior bureaucrats of the National Assembly. According to the statement, Ekweremadu, who was later received in Enugu by a mammoth crowd of supporters and wellwishers, urged leaders to always put democracy and national interest above other narrow interests. Ekweremadu said: “I clearly recall stating on that day that my great comfort in the immortal words of late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, that history will vindicate the just. “Time has indeed vindicated the just and it is victory for democracy. My trust in God, the court, and the overwhelming solidarity of the good people of Nigeria is justified.

Why we are recruiting 10,000 online –Okiro

C

hairman, Police Service Commission, Sir Mike Okiro, has said the recruitment of 10,000 new policemen into the Nigeria Police Force followed a transparent and credible process. Okiro, a former Inspector-General of Police, said the PSC advertised the recruitment online in order to ensure a hitch-free recruitment. Okiro, who spoke in an interview with African Mirror magazine in the United States, said the PSC complied with the federal recruitment regulation that stated that such processes should be publicized in addition to ensuring that new policemen were computer-literate. “About one million people applied out of which

10,000 were eventually shortlisted. Because the people applied online, it was easy to use computer software to screen based on age and educational qualifications. The newly introduced exercise made the recruitment process easy and fair compared to what we had in the past,” he stated. He described the stagnated promotions process in the police force as one of his challenges. His words: “One of the challenges right now is the issue of promotion. I found out that many officers had not been promoted for more than 13 years; not because they were not doing their job very well or because nobody wanted to promote them. It’s the system that should be blamed for this."


38

NEWS | national

Pope names new 17cardinals

P

ope Francis yesterday promoted 17 Roman Catholic prelates from around the world to the high rank of cardinal, including 13 who are under 80 years old and thus eligible to succeed him. Cardinals, who wear red hats and are known as “princes of the Church,” are the most senior members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy after the pope and serve as his principal advisers around the world and in the Vatican. Naming new cardinals is one of the most significant powers of the papacy, allowing a pontiff to put his stamp on the future of the 1.2-billion-member global Church. Cardinals under 80, known as cardinal-electors, can enter a secret conclave to choose a new pope from their own ranks after Francis dies or resigns. Francis, the former cardinal-archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected in a conclave on March 13, 2013. The new cardinalelectors come from Italy, the Central African Republic, Spain, the United States, Brazil, Bangladesh, Venezuela, Belgium, Mauritius, Mexico and Papua New Guinea. Significantly, Francis said the current Vatican ambassador in Syria, Ital-

ian Archbishop Mario Zenari, would be elevated but remains in his post to show the Church’s concern for “beloved and martyred Syria” - an allusion to the devastating civil war there. It was believed to be the first time in recent history a Vatican ambassador, known as a nuncio, would have the rank of cardinal. The pope has made numerous appeals for an end to Syria’s war and last month he urged forces to stop bombing civilians in Aleppo, warning them they would face God’s judgment one day. The four new cardinals over 80, who get the position as a symbolic honor to thank them for long service to the Church, include Father Ernest Simoni, 88, an Albanian priest who spent many years in jail and forced labor during the communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, who died in 1985. Francis, making the surprise announcement during his weekly Sunday address, said the ceremony to elevate the prelates, known as a consistory, would be held November. 19. With the current batch, Francis has named 44 cardinal-electors, slightly more than two thirds of the total of 120 allowed

$30.4m

The total amount of salary/winnings of Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Soccer) for 2016. Source: Forbes.com

Group advocates women involvement in peace talks Mojeed Alabi

A

non-government organisation, Women Connect Development Foundation, has advocated for the involvement of women in peace talks globally, saying women and children were more vulnerable during crises. This position was advanced by the Founder of the Foundation, Mrs. Olabisi Salis, during the Foundation’s official launch in New York City, United States of America. It was part of activities to mark this year’s annual World Peace Day. According to Salis, apart from their involvement in peace talks, women should be empowered to be less victims and onlookers during wars and should be encouraged to take bold steps against gender violence. She said the organisation was committed to defending the interests of women and children globally, and more impor-

tantly African women, who she noted were less literate and more vulnerable due to other factors including cultural beliefs. She said; “More needs to be done to empower women; they must begin to play significant and major roles in peace talks and post conflict resolution parleys. They should be empowered to be less victims and onlookers, but to take bold steps against feminine gender violence.” She called on Nigerians to embrace peace and promote efforts that would ensure the nation’s development, saying there cannot be growth in an atmosphere of unrest and conflicts. She advised the President Mohammadu Buhari-led administration to opt for dialogue rather than military option in resolving the Niger-Delta violence and other conflicts in the country, insisting that Nigerian women and children have always been at the receiving end of the crises.

by Church law. It will be his third consistory since his election in 2013 as the first non-European pontiff in 1,300 years and he has used each occasion to show support for the Church in far flung places or where Catholics are suffering. The Central African Republic, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and Lesotho will have a cardinal for the first time, underscoring Francis’ conviction that the Church is a global institution that should become increasingly less Eurocentric. Last year the pope visited Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic. Amid some of the tightest security ever seen

on his trips, he preached reconciliation in the nation racked by bloodshed between Muslims and Christians. Only one of the 13 cardinal-electors will take on a Vatican job. The others would remain in their posts around the world. Three are from the United States: Archbishop Blase Cupich of Chicago, Archbishop William Tobin of Indianapolis and Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas, who was recently appointed to head a new Vatican department on family and life issues. In addition to Simoni, the Albanian priest, the other three cardinals over 80 come from Malaysia, Italy and Lesotho.

monday, october 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Customs: No lifting of ban on rice importation Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

C

ontrary to speculations suggesting that the Nigeria Customs Service has opened land boarders for rice import, the service has said the ban enforcement subsists. A statement issued over the weekend by the Service Public Relations Officer, Deputy-Comptroller Wale Adeniyi, advised the public to disregard the speculation. "It has become necessary to re-state the true position in view of the confusion which these online publications may

create in the industry. It is even more expedient to provide this clarification given that the fact that the Service has taken a firm position earlier in the week through a joint press conference with Stakeholders. "First, we like to reiterate the position that importation of Rice remains banned through our Land Borders, and we have the commitment of Partner Government Agencies and Stakeholders to enforce this restriction. While this restriction is in force, Rice imports through the Ports are still allowed subject to payment of extant charges". L-R: Niger State Governor, Dr. Abubakar Sani Bello; Chancellor of Base University, Abuja, Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar; Member, BoT, Rt Hon Justice Alfa Belgore and Founder, ProChancellor, Base University, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba Ahmed, during the 3rd convocation ceremony of the university in Abuja…at the weekend.

‘Nigeria records 100,000 new cancer cases annually' Sabiu Mustapha JALINGO

T

he Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) yesterday said the country has over two million recorded cases of cancer with 100, 000 new cases annually. This was contained in a communiqué issued by its president, Alhaji Toyosi Raheem, in Jalingo, at the end of the association's 52nd Annual Scientific Conference and workshop. The conference at-

tributed the high rate of tumour and cancer in the country to a shift from the consumption of natural to artificial food and lack of regular physical exercise by citizens. According to the communiqué, indiscriminate, unregulated and over use of herbicides and insecticides on the farms also contribute to development of tumours and cancer in humans. It commended the Federal Government for the establishment of National Cancer and National Cancer Control Programme.

The communiqué, however urged the Federal Government to fully equip the centre and the programme with adequate human and infrastructural resources, so as to promote early screening, confirmation and management of tumours and cancer. "We call on the FG to fully equip the cancer centre and programme it has established with adequate human and infrastructural resources. "This will ensure early screening, confirmation and management of tumours and other health challenges as the rate of late cancer diagnosis and

detection is on the increase. "The development makes treatment and management almost impossible, thus making cancer appear invincible," it noted. The communiqué also called on the Minister of Health, Prof Issac Adewole, to integrate Nigerian Medical Laboratory Scientists into the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) and Save One Million Lives Initiative of the Federal Government. Similarly, it explained that medical laboratory scientists set the pace and direction for movement of the entire medical team towards success in health care delivery.

operators in Asaba to slash their tariff by between 35 per cent and 39 per cent to attract customers and remain in business. Some of the operators told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba yesterday that the tariff cut followed decline in patronage experienced by hotels in recent months. One of the operators, Mr Clement Odeiga, General Manager of Nelrose Hotels,

way to remain in business, was to reduce charges. “Following the current economic situation in the country, we decided to reduce our rates to reasonable amount, just to attract more customers. “For instance, we have reduced the rates for our super executive room from N40,000 to N25,000, while our standard room now goes for N15,000 as against N25,000,’’ he said.

Recession blessing in disguise, says Daniel ormer Governor Deacon Titus Soetan, at Asaba hotel operators slash tariffs of Ogun State and his office in Lagos, DanF he current economic said patronage had dropped Chairman, Kresta Laurel iel reiterated the fact that Trecession in the coun- significantly in the last six Limited, Otunba (Engr.) government should place try has forced some hotel months as such, the only Gbenga Daniel, has stated that the current economic situation in the country might be a blessing in disguise and an opportunity for Nigerians to look inwards by developing local contents and effecting outright adjustment in their ways of life. Receiving a delegation of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Nigeria (ICAN) on a courtesy visit led by its president,

more emphasis on local manufacturing and production most especially in the agricultural sector. "It is criminal to the economy if we spend so much foreign exchange on importation of food into the country to the detriment of our staple food that have more nutritional value. It is high time we banned food importation and curtailed smuggling of such into the Nigerian markets."


News|South-west

monDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

APC NWC to review Ondo guber ticket Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

A

fter the controversial meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress held on September 22, members would today hold another meeting to review allegations that had trailed NWC’s decisions on the Ondo governorship ticket. Also, the APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun would brief members on his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in respect of the matter. The last NWC meeting was where a decision to submit the name of Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN as the party’s candidate for the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State was

concluded. Already, the decision had put the party in the brinks in the last three weeks as there had been allegations, counter allegations and rebutals among party members on how the decision was reached. However, NWC members would today address reactions that had ensued from its decision on Ondo State governorship race as disciplinary actions might be meted out on the APC National Vice Chairman South West, Dr. Pius Akinyelure. Akinyelure, a member of the NWC, who attended all the meetings that led to

N539.63bn The total revenue of 2015 Government Quarterly Target from Non-oil taxes for the 2015 Q2. Source: Firs.gov.ng

the decision of the Working Committee to pick Akeredolu as its candidate had accused Odigie-Oyegun and the National Organizing Secretary, Senator Osita Izunazo of manipulating the party’s delegates list for primaries. Also, Akinyelure, a political ally to the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was said to be responsible to the alleged false impression Tinubu had on the NWC’s decision. Tinubu, acting on the information obtained from the last meeting of the NWC had accused Odigie-Oyegun of collecting bribe and overruled the voting of the NWC

27.61

The average age of football players in Italy in the 2013-2014 season. Source: Football-observatory.com

of “6 against 5” on the need to uphold the Appeal Panel recommendations of canceling the primaries. A member of the Working Committee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that among the issues that would be discussed was the issue of the National Chairman visit to the Presidency on the Ondo State primaries. According to him, it was wrong that the chairman went alone, saying “he should have gone to see President Muhammadu Buhari on this issue with one or more than one persons.” Another NWC member, the National Vice Chairman, South South, Eta Hilaird, who briefed the press last week, stated that he would know if his colleague, Akinyelure would be disciplined. L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; Managing Partner, Consultants Collaborative Partnership (CCP), Mr. Tayo Babalakin; Special Adviser on Lagos Global, Prof. Ademola Abass; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Chief Executive Officer, Quattro Alchemy, Aderoju Ademoroti and Special Adviser on Transportation, Prince Anofi Elegushi, during the inspection of ultramodern bus terminal at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS)…yesterday.

Ondo: APC sets up committee PDP, IPAC disagree as APC sweeps Ogun poll to screen running mate Seventeen registered Kunle Olayeni BabatopeOkeowo Akure

A

head of the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has set up a five-man committee to screen prospective deputy governorship candidate of the party. The Committee which has the daughter of the first civilian governor of the State, Mrs Jumoke Anifowose as the chairperson has Dr Tunji Abayomi, Hon Victor Adekanye Olabimtan, Dr Ayo Akinyelure, Mr Bankole Oluwajana, Dr Shaba and Mr Wale Akinterinwa as members. The committee would screen the aspirants and recommend prospective running mate for Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, the candidate of the party. Already, 16 persons including the surrogate deputy governorship candidate, Hon Agboola Ajayi have shown interest in the slot opened

to Ondo South and Central Senatorial district. Of the 19 prospective candidates, 13 are from the South while the rest six are from the Central district. The party would either pick from the South or Central senatorial district as the candidate, Akeredolu SAN is from the North Senatorial District. Jostling for deputy governorship slot are Hon Sam Aderoboye, a former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, embattled Publicity Secretary of the APC, Omooba Abayomi Adesanya, Mr Lucky Ayedatiwa, the APC’s candidate for Ilaje/ Eseodo Federal Constituency in the last general election and Engr. Boye Adegbemisoye, a former Chairman of Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government and Commissioner for Public Utilities. Also being considered are Chief Donal Omotayo Alasoadura, Mr Ifedayo Abegunde, a former House of Representatives and Engr. Ade Adetimehin, Deputy Chairman of the party in the State.

Abeokuta

T

he South West zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said the just concluded local government elections in Ogun State has further exposed the “impunity” of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Addressing a press conference in Abeokuta, the PDP South West Zonal Secretary, Rev Bunmi Jenyo, endorsed the call for the cancellation of the poll, which he described as “a sham.” APC has won all the 57 chairmanship seats in the Local Government/Local Council Development Areas elections conducted in the State on Saturday. APC also secured victory in 346 councillorship positions while the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched two and one councillorship seats respectively.

political parties participated in the poll, with the ruling party making a clean sweep across the 20 existing LGAs and the 37 newly created LCDAs. Announcing the results yesterday, the Chairman, Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Alhaja Risikat Ogunfemi, declared that the poll was “free, fair, credible and transparent.” Ogunfemi, who spoke through the Commissioner III of the commission, Mutiu Agboke, said though there were reports of skirmishes in some areas, the electoral body discharged its responsibility well. She said: “The call for cancellation of any electoral process is not unusual. The job of an umpire is not a herculean task, no matter any good arrangement put in place. “Election is a legal matter. The Commission has publicised the results which had been declared by our Electoral Officers at various LGs.”

39

Mimiko tasks candidates on maternal health Babatope Okeowo Akure

O

ndo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has urged the electorate in the state to ensure that governorship candidates of political parties for the November 26 election had prepared in clear terms their agenda on how to improve maternal health with a view to assuring them that programme would not be relegated to the background when they assume office. Specifically, Mimiko said the electorate must demand the candidates’ manifestos on maternal as the state would not allow any of the laudable programmes grounded by any incompetent candidate. He made the call in a

Keynote address at the 50th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) in Akure, the state capital. Mimiko said his administration’s commitment to health care delivery was to make access to affordable and qualitative healthcare services an ultimate goal in improving maternal health in the country. The governor, a Honorary Fellow of SOGON who spoke on the theme “The Politics of Maternal Health in Nigeria – Building A Legacy for the Future” said investment in maternal health in Nigeria would only be driven and sustained by strong political commitment by the leadership.

Lagos dislodges miscreants on Ahmadu Bello way Muritala Ayinla

L

agos State Government yesterday said it will not rescind its decision to reclaim right of way and road set backs, saying that miscreants, who took over the Eko Atlantic City end of the Ahmadu Bello Way under the guise of religious worshippers, have been dislodged. Speaking on the resolve of the government to restore sanity in the state environment, the Chairman of the Special Committee on Clean- Up of Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki, Mr Tunji Bello yesterday said the progressing exercise had already cleaned up seven major streets on Victoria Island and five in Ikoyi. Bello, who doubles as the Secretary to the State Government, spoke yesterday after an unscheduled visit to some of the areas being Cleaned- up on Ahmadu Bel-

lo Way and Ozumba Mbadiwe, said the committee had decided to take the clean up exercise in the listed streets in batches to ensure sustainability and effectiveness. Bello who was joined by other members of the CLEAN- Up exercise including the Sole Administrators of Iru-Victoria Island and Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Princess Aderemi Adebowale and Mr Felix Ona- Olawale, officials of the Task Force on Special Offences, members of VIIRA on the inspection, listed the streets already Clean –up in Victoria Island to include Water Corporation Drive, Ahmadu Bello Way, Adetokunboh Ademola, Bishop Aboyade Cole Street, Ajose Adeogun, Ligali Ayorinde Street, Ozumba Mbadiwe while those already touched in Ikoyi are Awolowo Road, Falomo Roundabout, Kingsway Road, Glover Road, and Bourdillon Road.

Ekiti APC tackles Fayose, NBA over DSS’ arrest of judges Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has berated Governor Ayodele Fayose for inciting Ekiti people against the Department of State Services (DSS) over raid of some judges’ residence in Abuja. It described Fayose as being afraid of his shadows each time he realized that time was catching up with him on his alleged financial impropriety. Besides, APC criticised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for condemning DSS, raid and the arrest of the judges believed to have compromised their professional ethics, explaining

that NBA’s action was condemnable against the backdrop of its silence when the judiciary faced a more daring and contemptuous challenge to the authority of the courts by private individuals, notably Fayose when he allegedly led thugs to attack the court in Ado-Ekiti. The party also accused Governor Nyesom Wike of obstructing DSS from carrying out its search duty, describing it as an offense against the state. In a statement, the party said “Fayose’s attempt to set Ekiti people against DSS through inflammatory statements in a live broadcast on the state media to again instigate the people against security agencies will not save him from facing justice in his numerous brushes against the law.”


News|south-EAST

40

Kanu slams contempt proceedings on FG, DSS

YekeenNurudeen Abuja

T

he leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has slammed contempt proceedings on the Federal Government and the Department of State Services (DSS) for disobeying an order by Justice Adeniyi Ademola of an Abuja Federal High Court, for his unconditional release. In the contempt proceedings initiated before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, the IPOB leader joined the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) as co-defendants. Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, made this disclosure in a statement obtained by New Telegraph yesterday. Ejiofor said: “The order made on the 17th day of December, 2016 by His Lordship, Hon. Justice

A.F.A. Ademola, directing the unconditional release of Kanu was served on the DSS that same day the order was made. “Still, the Department of State Services failed, refused and/or neglected to obey the order directing the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, apparently due to reasons best known to them, which has no justification under any law. “Thirteen days after this order was made, specifically on the 30th day of December, 2015, the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, announced to the whole world during his presidential

media chat that Nnamdi Kanu cannot be granted bail by any court in Nigeria. “This extra judicial pronouncement by the executive had continued to influence the direction of Nnamdi Kanu’s political trial, as part of the reasons given by the president during this presidential media chat was quoted by the trial court, as constituting the grounds militating against Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom, while delivering ruling on his bail application. “It is of elementary knowledge that an order of court is a law, which must be obeyed by all and sundry, including all institutions of government. It is the law that orders of the court no matter

how it looks must be obeyed. But the anti-democratic forces have continued to treat with disdain and levity, positive orders of the court granted in favour of Nnamdi kanu, particularly in his politically orchestrated trial. “It is on the face of this flagrant disobedience to the order of court directing the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu that we formally filed Form 48 (Notice of consequences of disobedience to court order) and Form 49 (Notice to show cause why the parties named in the application should not be committed for contempt) respectively, on September 28, 2016, before the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court Maitama, Abuja.”

monDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kumuyi to FG: Invite Diaspora Nigerians to help recover economy Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

T

he General Superintendent (GS) of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has advised the Federal Government to invite Nigerians in the Diaspora to make contribution for the recovery of the economy. Speaking yesterday at the Glorious Liberation Sunday Worship service at the Enyimba International Stadium Aba, Kumuyi said that Nigerians were doing well all over the world in their various fields of endeavour and ad-

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano (left), at the launch of planting of one million tree in the state…at the weekend.

7

The total number of titles won by Enyimba in the Nigerian premier division. Source: Goal.com

PHOTO: NAN

56%

The estimated percentage of the antiretroviral therapy coverage (range) of Eastern and southern Africa in December 2010. Source: Who.int

NGO flays Ohuabunwa over comments on judiciary

A

non-governmental organization, Coalition of Real Democrats (CRD), has berated embattled PDP senator representing Abia North, Mao Ohuabunwa, for making negative utterances against the judiciary on the appeal lodged by former Governor of Abia State and Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) candidate in the March 5 rerun poll in Abia North, Dr. Orji Kalu, against the judgment of the Abia North Election Petition Tribunal. The group noted that the recent statement credited to the PDP chieftain on a programme on Africa Independent Television (AIT)

is capable of causing unnecessary violence in Abia State. In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Chuka Ugokwe, the politician was urged to allow the law takes its due course because blackmail and propaganda will not earn him victory at the Court of Appeal. Chuka said: “Knowing the integrity of judges of the Court of Appeal, I was ashamed to hear Ohuabunwa call them negative names despite not having a panel in place yet to hear the appeal of the PPA candidate. “It is unfair, wicked and barbaric to condemn cred-

ible personalities who have over the years committed their lives to the enthronement and defence of justice and equity in Nigeria. “By displaying unpatriotic and uncivilized behaviour, it is clear that Ohuabunwa is not fit to be in any leadership position. I believe it is too early and unethical to talk about issues before the court. “Ohuabunwa should communicate his concerns through the appropriate medium to the yet-to-be constituted panel. It is advisable for the embattled senator to retract his comments and apologize to the judiciary over his derogatory utterances.”

Obi of Onitsha absolves Buhari of economic woes Pamela Eboh Awka

T

he Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, has called on Nigerians to refrain from blaming President Muhammadu Buhari for the current economic woes experienced in the country. The monarch said that things went wrong because of the collective decisions made by previous administrations.

The monarch made the remark at the occasion of his 15th Ofala Festival in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State. He, however, urged Buhari to consider the advice of many Nigerians like Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Cardinal Francis Arinze, who have individually voiced out on the sufferings of the people. He said, “Buhari should

look into the collective views of Nigerians in addressing the current recession. He should also look into the alleged constant harassment of citizens by herdsmen across the country”. Achebe also hailed the state Governor, Willie Obiano, for his policies and major strides in agriculture, security, education and the health sector, which he added had yielded results in the state.

vised the Federal Government to tap their expertise to rejuvenate the economy. Addressing journalists at the end of the combined service, the founder of Deeper Life Bible Church, said that it would be unfair to say that the political class has no solution to the nation’s problems. “Let’s make use of our people. We can invite Nigerians in the Diaspora to assist us at this time,” the Pastor said. He explained that the service conducted in the state as in other parts of the country became necessary at the moment because the people needed change in every aspect of their lives. According to him: “Just as the ordinary people need God’s intervention for the blind to see, the lame to walk, the sick to be well and the oppressed to be free, the political class also need wisdom and ideas for sustainable development.” He also advised religious leaders especially, the Deeper Life Bible Church to look for means of reaching the people in need, especially the rural people and touching their lives positively. “That God will open our eyes to see the people in need. People in the rural areas, what are their needs some are sick, what can we do to help them, orphans, widows, not just for church work,” he said.

Cattle movement banned in Ebonyi Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

E

bonyi State Governor, Chief Dave Umahi, has banned movement of cattle around the state. He placed the ban while inaugurating a committee to monitor the activities of herdsmen in the state. The governor while noting that he will not be happy to see cattle eating up rice plants in the state revealed that apart from the fact that the state government borrowed N2 billion for the rice plants, the Federal Government has also invested so much

on rice this year. He said: “I will be very mad to see cattle eat up this rice that I have laboured so much on. We borrowed N2 billion to put the rice in place and the Federal Government put so much in it too. So, it will break my heart to continually get reports that cattle are eating up the rice. We can do without cattle but we can’t do without food. “There is nothing wrong in having cattle in one place or the other. In countries like China, they keep their cattle in one place, so I appeal to herdsmen to keep their cattle in

one place the community has given them. “I gave directive that no cattle should move around in any part of the state. Cattle should be in one location and the owner should look for food for the cattle. “Even yesterday when I went to the new city where we planted our flowers and trees, I saw cattle all over the place I asked my ADC to go and see if any leaf was taken by the cattle, I would have ordered for the seizure of those cattle. “Let me warn very seriously, I don’t want to see cattle move up and down in Ebonyi State.”

Ajimobi, Okorocha to partner on Oyo technical varsity

I

mo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has pledged that his foundation would partner with Oyo State government in the establishment of a technical university in the state. Okorocha spoke during a visit to the permanent site of the university on the LagosIbadan Expressway in company of his Oyo State counterpart, Abiola Ajimobi, on Friday. Ajimobi had during the inspection, explained that

the establishment of the institution would be based on a private public partnership arrangement in which the state would have 10 per cent holding while other interested partners would own the rest. “The university, as it had been stated before, is going to be on a PPP arrangement, where the state will own only 10 per cent while the remaining 90 per cent will be owned by interested partners.

“You can see that some of the classrooms, library and the administrative buildings have been built and completed by the Central Bank as its own contribution towards the university. “As you can also see, my brother, Governor Okorocha is here because of that. You know he is not just a governor, he is an educationist who has schools all over Nigeria. So are many others who are also reaching out to us for partnership,” he said.


News|south-SOUTH

monDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG bans Benin FGC’s PTA over illegal fees Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

T

he Federal Government has proscribed Parents/Teachers’ Association (PTA) of the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Benin City, Edo State, indefinitely for acts bordering on gross misconduct, lawlessness and outright usurpation of Federal Government’s powers. According to a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the Deputy Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Bem Goong, the government has also directed all principals and administrators of Federal Unity Colleges not to have anything whatsoever to do with the National Association of Parents/ Teachers Association of Federal Government Col-

leges (NAPTAFGC), an umbrella body of PTA of Unity Colleges in the country. The statement described the national body which has no other source of funding other than taxing parents as superfluous, illegal and unnecessary financial burden on parents of students in Federal Unity Colleges across the country. It said Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, stressed that the PTA in question had prior to the resumption of schools for the 2016/2017 academic session, generated its own school fees different from the fees approved by the Federal Government and circulated same to parents of students of FGGC Benin, with an instruction that they should pay only what had been approved by the PTA.

41

NDDC, Bayelsa disagree over roads rehabilitation projects

T

he Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Bayelsa State government yesterday disagreed over the issue of roads repair and rehabilitation in the Niger Delta area. While the NDDC was claiming to have embarked on emergency roads repair and rehabilitation on 14 roads across Bayelsa State, the state government was contesting the veracity of such claim. Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, in a statement issued yesterday in Yenagoa, described as ‘untrue and shocking’ recent claims by the Bayelsa State government that it was intervening on the same roads the NDDC was working on.

Semenitari was reacting to claims by the Bayelsa State government that it was rehabilitating the roads. She listed the roads to include Oporuma-SabageriaPolaku Road in Opokuma Local Government and Odi-Trofani Road. In Yenagoa, the roads are Otiotio Road, DooGood Street, Goodnews Street, Azikoro, Shepherd Vine Road, Capt. Ayeni Street; Saptex Road, Yenizue-Epie Road; INEC Road, Kpansia; Jasmine Suite Road, Erepa Road and NIIT Road. Others are the DimroseGreen; Villa-Custom Link Roads 1 and 2, Biogbolo; and Toolda Road, Ekeki, all in Yenagoa. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, the Commissioner for In-

formation in the state, at the weekend, said ongoing emergency repairs on roads were the handiwork of the state government. The NDDC managing director explained that the ongoing road rehabilitation covered the nine states of its mandate in the Niger Delta region. She regretted that rather than ‘commend the agency for the step, which would be a huge relief to it, the Bayelsa State government decided to resort to misinformation.’ Semenitari said: “Such deliberate falsehood erodes public trust in authorities,” adding that the emergency work was meant to relieve the government of some burden. She said the commission had expected the Bayelsa State government

to emulate its Cross River and Akwa Ibom counterparts in commending the commission. According to the managing director, ‘where the state government lacked the courage to attribute credit to NDDC, it should have kept quiet instead of misinforming the public.’ She expressed displeasure that although Bayelsa State government knew the truth, it chose to hide it from the public. Semenitari said such style of governance eroded confidence in government and ridiculed probity. “NDDC saw gaps in road infrastructure across its nine mandate states and the urgent need to intervene and after a management meeting, decided to act as to provide relief to motorists and other road users.

‘Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu should close ranks for peace in Edo’ Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

F

rontline politician and businessman in Edo State, Hosa Okunbo, has tasked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the just-concluded governorship election in the state, Osagie IzeIyamu, to close ranks with the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor-Elect, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in the interest of peace and the development of the state. He expressed delight that Edo South senatorial district has produced the next governor of the state in line with the dreams and aspirations of people of the area. Okunbo, who stated this in an interview with newsmen in Benin, the state capital, at the weekend, said the governor-elect and IzeIyamu ‘belongs to me and

therefore must work for the good of the state.’ According to him, “Osagie Ize-Iyamu is my very good friend, Godwin Obaseki is from my family; so both of them are mine; I will not want to talk more on the issue of election now, because I for one, have left partisan politics, I am now an elder statesman; so I just want them to do the best for the state, and the peace of the state. “That is a good thing for us to do, because it is nice for us to have peace.”

30.65%

The capital importation percentage share of Shares of Nigeria in 2008. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

34.6m

The total population of men of Dem. Republic of the Congo in 2012. Source: Un.org

Community sends SOS to FG over N2.6bn water dam Dominic Adewole ASABA

W

orried that the N2.6 billion OgwashiUku Water Dam project has been abandoned, the people of the community yesterday sent a Save-OurSoul (SOS) message to the Federal Government to mobilise the contractor back to site. The project was awarded in 2006 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, but was abandoned after the water was impounded and stepped down. The valves to ooze out the water have been installed but the 1.6 kilometre

access road to the dam was abandoned shortly after the culverts were completed. When completed, the project was expected to provide potable water, generate 1.5 megawatts of electricity and serve as tourist attraction to about 50 communities and students of the state-owned polytechnic in Ogwashi-Uku. Lamenting at the project site in Aboh-Ogwashi yesterday, the Community Liaising Officer (CLO), Chief Chiedu Onwudiame, said when completed and irrigated, it would boost subsistence and commercial agriculture in the locality.

A cross-section of players and management of Rivers United, with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike (middle) at a special dinner in honour of the team… at the weekend. PHOTO: NAN

Clean-up: Ogoni youths demand indigenous project manager Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

O

goni youths at the weekend called on the Federal Government to appoint an indigenous project manager for the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme’s recommendation on Ogoni clean-up. A coalition of Ogoni youth leaders, who made this demand under the auspices of the Ogoni

Chris Ejim Yenagoa

B

ayelsa State government has constituted a special task force to retrieve all government land illegally acquired by individuals, communities and companies within and outside Yenagoa as part of efforts to create a planned modern city. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the task force at the Government House, Yenagoa,

Joint Youth Leadership Council, argued that since the Federal Government appointed the leadership of other structures outside Ogoni, it was necessary for an Ogoni to be appointed project manager. While stressing their belief in the Muhammadu Buhari administration to achieve the clean-up of Ogoni and other impacted areas in the Niger Delta, they said that Ogoni had abundant world class environmentalists and project

managers whose wealth of experience would ensure a successful clean-up. The youths, who made the appeal in a statement signed by the Chairman of the leadership council, Mr. Friday Ngbihoro and the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Vincent Gbosi; said the appointment of an Ogoni would alleviate the plight of the people and ensure compliance with global best practices. The statement reads in part: “We demand the ap-

pointment of an indigenous project manager, having appointed the leadership of the other structures outside Ogoniland. “We strongly believe that Ogoni has in abundance, world class environmentalists and project managers, whose appointment will alleviate the plight of the people, ensure compliance with global best practices, being victims themselves. “We also demand equal spread in these appointments across the four local government areas that make up Ogoni in order to give all parts of land a sense of belonging,” the group said.

Bayelsa sets up task force to reclaim govt land

Governor Seriake Dickson, charged members to commence a process of recovering all such land from trespassers in the next two weeks. The governor, who condemned the practice whereby individuals and communities within and outside Yenagoa, take over government land with impunity after compensation had been paid, noted that the development had contributed to

making Yenagoa a slum. He directed the Committee for Urban Development, Board of Physical Planning and Development Control, Ministry of Lands and Housing and their agencies, to notify owners of buildings that do not conform to the state master plan for such structures to be demolished. Dickson, however, said the team responsible for recovering government

land and property would carry out an assessment for structures already built on government land and if the development attracts a waiver, an appropriate levy would be paid. He said land developers were expected to follow due process by acquiring an approved building plan from the Ministry of Lands and Housing and other relevant agencies as it was the practice in any modern city.


42

News|north

Jos varsity library, students’ exam scripts razed MusaPam Jos

T

he Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Seddi Sebastian Maimako, yesterday said that the inferno that gutted the university library had left a debilitating effect as students’ examination scripts were not left out. Maimako, who visited the scene of the inferno accompanied by top management staff of the institution yesterday, was in tears following the level of destruction at the permanent site of the university. While briefing newsmen at the Senate Chamber of the university after the visit,

the vice-chancellor said: “We received report of the incident around 6.30pm that the library was on fire and we immediately alerted the Plateau State Fire Service, Government House, the Air Force and other individuals who responded promptly to the emergency.” He said investigation was on to identify the cause of the fire outbreak, as the inferno had caused a lot of setback to the institution. He said two faculties, Management Sciences and Social Sciences, which consist of four departments to include, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology and Accounting, were all affected as well as the library

which was commissioned in 1997. Maimako said the results of the departments as well as the scripts of the ongoing examination of the undergraduate students were also destroyed by the fire. He said: “We have summoned the Senate emergency meeting for today to take appropriate action on the issue as students were still writings exams.” New Telegraph visited the burnt library yesterday and gathered that the foundation of the building was laid by President Shehu Shagari in 1981 and was commissioned on November 13, 1997 by the General

Sani Abacha administration, where property worth millions of naira was lost to the inferno. It will be recalled that the Bauchi main campus of the university had in 2013, witnessed a fire outbreak which destroyed most parts of the library and which led to the shutdown of the school library for close to a year. The cause of the fire outbreak was yet to be ascertained by the school authority as at the time of filing this report, but efforts were immediately made by the school management to cordon off the burnt building not to allowed students around the scene.

monDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Coalition demands nationwide ban of Zakzaky’s IMN Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

F

ollowing the recent proscription of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shiite sect by the Kaduna State government, which outlawed the body in the state, the Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has urged the Federal Government to move a step further by placing a nationwide ban on the activities of the sect. Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, CATE Secretary General, Daniel Obaje, gave reasons why the Federal Government must ensure strict enforcement of IMN ban. He noted that IMN has consistently

Kano spends N2.6bn on education Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

I Burnt Library of the University of Jos…at the weekend

Muhammad Bashir Lokoja

K

ogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, yesterday flagged off 18.3-kilometre roads project worth N3.519 billion at the Central Senatorial District of the state. The roads network, which includes AgassaAhache-Upogoro road, Ogaminana-Ebogogo-Eika road and Obehira-IhimaObangede road in Okene, Adavi and Okehi Local Government Areas of the state, was the first major programme embarked upon by the governor after

Bello flags off N3.8bn road project his victory at the Supreme Court last month. Governor Bello also inaugurated the Danjuma Atta Eye Centre at the General Hospital, Okene, saying that the government will provide more facilities aimed at catering for the wellbeing of the people of the state. The governor during the flag-off ceremony said the roads project was a proof of his administration’s commitment to the provision of infrastructure in the state. While lamenting the poor state of infrastructure in the state, particularly

roads across the three senatorial districts, Governor Bello said the New Direction blueprint of his administration had taken note of the infrastructural decay in health, education and roads in the state, stressing that frantic efforts would be made to turn around retarded infrastructure into a new look. Bello explained that Lokoja, the state capital and other major towns in the state, would be given a facelift to compete with other cities in the 21st century. He said: “Particularly, this administration is

poised to complete the ongoing Lokoja township roads with modern facilities to make the state capital meet up with others across the country.” Meanwhile, the state government has approved the construction 13.8 kilometers Ekirin Ade/Ohun/ Ife Olukotun road in Ijumu Local Government Area in the western senatorial district of the state while the rehabilitation and asphalt over lay of Iyamoye/ Ponyan/Jege/Ejuku Ijowa road was also awarded at the cost of N4, 751 billion respectively.

Ganduje launches summer academy for 10,648 girls Muhammad Kabir Kano

K

ano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, at the weekend, launched the ‘School in Bag, Kano Summer Camp Academy’ for 10, 648 girls from public primary schools in the state. The aim of the programme, according to the governor, “was to address

the challenge of gender imbalance and transition from the primary school to junior secondary school and more importantly to support the process of improving our girls’ performance by creating a platform for additional coaching during vacation.” Under the programme, the girls will be coached and tutored on basic literacy, numeracy and social courses in addition to be-

ing given bags containing two sets of uniform and assorted study materials as a means of enhancing their chances of successfully passing the transition exam and preparing them to confront the academic demands of the junior basic school. Expressing worry that a significant number of girls in the state drop out of school, the governor lamented that; “it is evident

that the survival rate of girls from primary one to five was 73 per cent whereas the dropout rate for girls when they reach primary six was 50 per cent as at last year. These indicators are a signal of low transition rate into JSS consequently, the annual school census of 2015/2016 confirmed that only 46 per cent of girls transited from primary school to junior secondary school.”

questioned the legitimacy of Nigeria to exist as a country. Obaje described the ban on IMN by Kaduna State as a welcome development, adding that it came at the right time given a series of activities that members of the sect had planned to undermine security in not just Kaduna State but across the country. He said CATE reaffirmed its strong stance for religious freedom of all Nigerians; but that it was to an extent that individuals practice their faith without compromising the wellbeing of others; imposing their beliefs on adherents of other faiths; and coagulating into entities intended to undermine the secularity handed down by our founding fathers.

n its quest to improve the education sector, the Kano State government has expended the sum of N2.6 billion in the last two months in the sector. This was revealed to some journalists in Abuja by the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Culture, Youth and Sports , Alhaji Mohammed Garba, over the weekend. According to the Commissioner, the expenditure was in line with the resolve by the Governor Abdullahi Ganduje-led administration to create the enabling environment for both teachers and students in various institution of learning to excel in their respective endeavours. He disclosed that the sum of N1,246,447.578.00 was used to foot the bills of

students who participated in the National Examinations Council (NECO), the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Students (NBAIS) and the internal examination organised by (KERD). Also, according to him, the sum of N404 million was expended on the accreditation exercise of various courses in both the Kano State Polytechnic and the College of Agriculture Dambatta. He further stated that feeding of pupils in both primary and secondary schools gulped the sum of N589.360,000.00, adding that of the amount, the Kano State Schools Management Board (KSSMB) got N383,660.000.00, science secondary schools was allocated N106 million and community re-orientation committee (CRC) supervised primary schools got N100 million.

5,130 get free eye treatment in Kebbi, Kano Abubakar Abdul and Muhammad Kabir

A

t least 5,130 eye patients were treated free in Kano and Kebbi states at the weekend. In Kebbi State, the government in collaboration with Al-Basar Caravan Free Eye International Foundation operated 5,000 eye patients, while no fewer than 130 patients were treated in Kano State by the Ahmadiyya Islamic Movement of Nigeria as part of the organisation’s humanitarian services to the community Addressing newsmen at the weekend, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Mohammed Atiku Kende, said the gesture was part of government’s commitments in promoting the health sector. He said the arrangement was to bring healthcare service delivery to the citizens, adding that out of the

5,000 eye patients operated; more than 500 have been discharged and have reunited with their families. Also during the weekend, the Ahmadiyya Islamic Movement of Nigeria provided free eye treatment services to 130 patients through its hospital in Kano. Speaking with newsmen while treating the patients in Kano, the Director in charge of the Foundation, Mudasir Ahmed, said this was the first time they would embark on free eye treatment to the less privileged.

£80,000 The weekly salary of Javier Hernadez of Real Madrid/Manchester United in 2014/2015. Source: Paywizard.co.uk

£16,000 The daily salary of Javier Hernadez of Real Madrid/Manchester United in 2014/2015. Source: Paywizard.co.uk


43

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NFF pays Eagles bonuses, allowances

Sport

V

ictorious Super Eagles of Nigeria are now smiling to the bank after they got some of their outstanding payments immediately after their 2-1 win in Zambia today. They received their flight ticket refunds, match bonus for the AFCON qualifier against Tanzania last month as well as appearance fees for two friendlies in May against Mali and Luxembourg.

It is estimated that a player who was involved in all three matches would have received close to $8,000. The win bonus for today’s World Cup qualifier in Ndola is now the only payment outstanding for the Eagles. Next month, Nigeria will welcome Algeria to Uyo in continuation of the World Cup qualifying series.

Sport News Nwosu hails Eagles, warns against complacency

International Gyan optimistic despite Uganda draw

44 45

Tactics, discipline gave Nigeria victory – Rohr Mikel commends players’ determination Eagles were lucky, says Zambia coach

Adekunle Salami NDOLA

S

uper Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr, and his captain Mikel Obi were full of praises for the players shortly after claiming a 2-1 win over the Chipolopolo of Zambia in an African group qualifier for the Russia 2018 World Cup on Sunday. Rohr said his wards played to instructions and gave their best under a severe weather condition. The weather was 34 degrees Celsius when the match started at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia. The Eagles not particularly good with away games were out fighting and they grabbed two crucial goals to lead 2-0 at half time. "The two first half goals helped us. We approached the second half

with the advantage of the first. I am not surprised we won, I know the Zambians very well and that was an advantage for us. "We fought all through the match because of the harsh weather. I commend the players for getting the three points which is most crucial for the team," Rohr said. The German added that the score of the game was reflection

Rohr

of proceedings. Mikel attributed the victory to the determination and mental toughness of the players. He said the entire team played for all three points and was happy they won. "It was a very tough match for us but we got the result we wanted. That is very vital. We look forward to other matches with the same spirit of winning," he said. The Chelsea player stressed that the weather affected the team but they stood firm to win Zambia coach, Wedson Nyiranda, said Nigeria was lucky with the 2-1 victory recorded against his side. "We played well and created more chances but we did not score enough goals. We were unlucky. "I am not saying Nigeria did not do well but truth is that we deserve something in the game. the keeper saved our oppoents,” he said.

Iwobi

Russia 2018: Eagles shock Zambia in Ndola

N Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

igeria cruised past Zambia 2-1 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium thanks to first half goals from Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho to give coach Gernot Rohr a winning start in the 2018 World Cup qualifying series. The visitors made light work of their hosts who got their consolation courtesy Collins Mbesuma at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. The Super Eagles were relentless in attack even with the presence of Zambia President Edgar Lungu, as the trio of Iwobi, Iheanacho and Moses Simon gave Stopilla Sunzu’s marshaled backline a torrid time. Brown Ideye failed to cash in on Adrian Chama’s defensive blunder in the third minute and few seconds later, impressive Carl Ikeme was forced to make a fine save from Fwayo Tembo’s cross. It took prodigy Iwobi 32 minutes to put Rohr’s men ahead – his first international goal since making his debut against Congo DR on October 8, 2015.

The Arsenal forward riffled past goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene after a defensive mishap from Wedson Nyirenda’s men. The hosts’ afternoon got worse

Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi

when Iheanacho got a pass from Brown Ideye, rounded up three Chipolopolo defenders and slotted home the second three minutes from the half time break. Zambia looked stronger in the second half and Ikeme had to produce sensational saves to deny Mbesuma, Rainford Kalaba and Chisamba Lungu. But Nigeria's hopes of keeping a clean slate got dashed as Mbesuma reduced the deficit in the 71st minute, no thanks to Kenneth Omeruo’s blunder. Kalaba and Jackson spurned two excellent opportunities to level scores in the closing stages of the game, as the Super Eagles calmed their nerves to seal maximum points. Nigeria host Algeria in their second game on November 7, 2016 while Zambia chase their first victory with an away tie against Cameroon.


t p d t e n p

r o r o r s e e ,

t , a s e d

44

SPORT NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nwosu hails Eagles, warns against complacency

W/CUP QUALIFIERS RESULTS AFRICA

F

ormer Nigerian coach Henry Nwosu says the away victory against Zambia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier has put the Super Eagles at an advantage, but warned that the race had not been won yet. Two first-half goals by Eagles forwards Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho proved enough to hand Nigeria the three points at stake while Zambian danger man Collins Mbesuma scored his side's consolation. “I’m happy we won the clash against Zambia; at least it puts us at an advantage going forward in other group qualifying matches. “The match truly lived up to its billing as a difficult encounter; I praise the Eagles for going out there in Zambia for the first time to claim three points. “We must work hard in other matches knowing full well that as we went out there in Zambia to record a win another team can come here to claim a victory if we are not careful," he said. He added that the team must get a good result when they play Algeria next month in Nigeria. “The qualifier is a marathon; we must maintain a cool head and full concentration, especially in the next home clash against Algeria. “A critical look at the clash against Zambia showed we did not play very well in the second half, Zambia dominated the

F

ootball loving Nigerians will continue to enjoy watching their European football heroes in sizzling-hot super sporting actions as digital TV network, StarTimes Nigeria, continued to broadcast live and exclusively over 200 matches of the European Zone of the Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. The company’s head of public relations, Israel Bolaji, said they had started broadcasting the qualifiers since Match Day 1 in September. According to him, the biggest cracker will be the match between Netherland and France on Monday. France lost to Portugal in the final of the last European Championship while Netherland failed to qualify for

Nigeria

DR Congo

4-0 Libya

Gabon

0-0 Morocco

Ivory Coast

3-1

Mali S'Africa

Senegal

2-0 Cape Verde

Ghana

0-0 Uganda

Congo

1-2

Egypt

EUROPE France

Super Eagles celebrating after scoring a goal against Zambia

part and that resulted in the pressures that gave them the consolation goal. “Going forward, we must work on the attack as well as the midfield; the defence caved in under pressure," he added.

P

the competition. On Thursday, the 1-1 draw between Italy and Spain was broadcaste live by StarTimes among other matches that were played during the week. In total, more than 200 matches will be shown live by the digital company to the delight of Nigerian subscribers. All other games in the competition will be shown live till the qualifiers end in November 2017. Subscribers can catch all the games live and enjoy their football idols dazzle in HD on StarTimes dedicated sports channels like ST World Football (HD), Sports Premium (HD), Sports Focus, Sports Life and Sports Arena; all available on Basic bouquet which costs N1200 monthly subscription.

Charles Ogundiya resident Muhammadu Buhari is expected to lead a high power delegation to declare open the 2016 Nigerian Army Sports Festival holding at the mainbowl of the National Stadium, Abuja, from Monday, October 10 (today). Chairman of the Central Organising Committee of the 16th edition of the games, Major-General John Malu confirmed this to newsmen at the weekend in Abuja immediately after the final rehearsal for the colorful event. “The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces will be the Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony,” he said. "We have invited the 36 state governors and all the ministers. It is going to be a very high profile ceremony." In his own words, the Chief of Army

Pinnick launches ‘Operation Beat Algeria’ Emmanuel Tobi

Buhari to declare Nigerian Army Games open

P

1-2

Burkina Faso 1-1

StarTimes broadcast World Cup qualifiers Charles Ogundiya

Zambia

Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, said that the weeklong event was to mark the beginning of victory celebration in the war against terror in Nigeria, adding that about 1,760 athletes across six Divisions of the Army would be competing in 19 sports. Some of the events are football, table tennis, tennis, chess, scrabble, boxing amongst others.

Buhari

resident of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has declared total war against the Dessert Warriors of Algeria after the Super Eagles secured an away win against Zambia in Ndola. Nigeria claimed the first three points of Group B as the race to the 2018 FIFA World Cup began on Sunday, leaving hosts Zambia rueing a poor start to the campaign in a difficult group. “We still have five matches to play. We will take it one match at a time. Next stop is ‘Operation Beat Algeria'. “We commend the efforts of the players and the technical crew, and we thank the Honourable Minister of Sports for his words of encouragement before the match. We are happy with the three points but it is a marathon, not a sprint,” he added. The Eagles next play Algeria in Uyo on November 12.

4-1

Bulgaria

Luxembourg 0-1

Sweden

Netherlands

4-1

Belarus

Hungary

2-3 Switzerland

Portugal

6-0 Andorra

Germany

3-0 C'Republic

Moldova

0-3 Serbia

Armenia

0-5 Romania

Poland

3-2 Denmark

England

2-0 Malta

Italy

1-1

Belgium

4-0 Bosnia

Estonia

4-0 Gibraltar

Greece

2-0 Cyprus

Turkey

2-2 Ukraine

Spain

CONMEBOL Ecuador

3-0 Chile

Uruguay

3-0 Venezuela

Paraguay

0-1

Brazil

5-0 Bolivia

Peru

2-2 Argentina

Colombia

Pinnick

Champions League: Rivers United to train in Madrid Ubong Emmanuel

N

igeria Professional Football League club, Rivers United, will prepare for the 2017 CAF Champions League in Madrid, Spain. The announcement was made on Saturday by the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, at a grand reception/dinner at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt to honour the team. Rivers United finished the season in second place with 60 points from 36 matches as they secured a place in the 2017 CAF Champions League. “I want Rivers United to win the 2017 CAF Champions League title and to facilitate this, I want to see that our boys are exposed by going

for their training outside the country. “The team will go to Madrid because Real Madrid has a culture of winning titles on a consistent basis," said Wike. Meanwhile, the Governor has rewarded players and officials of Rivers United following their impressive feat in the just concluded Nigeria Professional Football League. “Each of the players and every member of the management team will receive N500,000 while the technical manager, Stanley Eguma will receive N1million,” Wike said Wike also approved for immediate release, a brand new luxurious bus for the club while members of the Rivers United will receive a brand new coaster bus.


International Sport

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

45

Gyan optimistic despite Uganda draw Super crumbs

S

kipper of Ghana's Black Stars, Asamoah Gyan, remains optimistic that his side will still qualify for

the 2018 World Cup in Russia despite sharing the spoils with the Cranes of Uganda on Friday. The Black Stars were held to

Gyan

a goalless draw game with the Cranes in the opening group fixture of the qualifiers at the Tamale Sports Stadium but the Al Ahli striker insists Ghana will make it to the mundial. "We still have five matches to play. The good thing is that we didn't lose to Uganda and will have to win all our remaining matches to qualify which is possible," Gyan told Ghanasoccernet.com. "There is hope of qualifying to the World Cup so Ghanaians must not be disturbed. We have a great chance of qualifying." "Uganda were disciplined and defended well and kudos to them but that is a good wake up call," he added.

Dutch captain out of France qualifier

N

etherlands captain Wesley Sneijder has been ruled out of their World Cup qualifier against France on Monday because of a hamstring injury, coach Danny Blind says. Sneijder hobbled off at halftime in Friday's 4-1 Group A win over Belarus in Rotterdam but had hoped to recover in time for the meeting with the European Championship

runners-up at the Amsterdam Arena. The coach said he had asked Sneijder to stay with the squad until match day to help with morale ahead of a key clash in the bid to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. "France will be a difficult opponent. Their players are used to being involved in top matches every weekend, they

are physically strong, which means we need to take them head-on," Blind told a news conference in Alkmaar on Sunday. "But I'm thinking about winning. We can absolutely do it. The French also have their weaknesses, they give away far too much room and we can profit from that. We will certainly be playing to win."

from Ndola

Compiled by Adekunle Salami

201 wanted persons

I

t was not a funny scene at the departure lounge of the Abuja International Airport as the Nigerian Army displayed a big banner containing the faces and photographs of people wanted in connection with the antics of dreaded Boko Haram. They are 201 and were duly numbered without names. Trust Nigerians to bring in comic relief from serious situations. As people moved closer to the banner, friends jokingly accused one another of being on the displayed wanted list. "Don't move closer for checking o, hope you can see your picture on the wanted list?" One of the journalists traveling said to another colleague

'I can come back sir'

H

mmm. The ladies here are so blunt to the core. An attendant at the Angelino Hotel here in Ndola has closed for the day and when we started chatting she told me about how much she loved watching Nigerian players, movies and music artistes. As I bade her goodnight she smiled and asked: "Are you alone sir?" I told her I came with my other colleagues and she said "I mean do you have a girl with you?" I said no and the lady smiled again. "I can come back sir, if ..." I told her not to worry. It was a rude shock. Next day I heard stories about some of the attenders who closed and retired to the rooms of visitors

Lagos Governor’s Cup gets underway Ajibade Olusesan

H

ostilities begin at the 16th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship with the players battle in the first round of the Main Draws of Futures 5 of the tournament in both the singles and doubles events of men and women’s categories. Players whose points could not make it to the Main Draws played their qualifying match-

es on Saturday and Sunday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan at the end of which winners now join other players in the round of 32 in the Main Draws which begin on Monday. Some Nigerians qualified and they will be joining eight others who were given wildcards by the International Tennis Federation to play in the Main Draws. These set of players who made their

through the qualifiers include Henry Atseye, Nonso Madueke, Aanu Ayegbusi, Osariemen Airhunmwunde, Edward Christopher Anefu and Ikechukwu Iloputa. The players, who came from 39 countries of the world, will be fighting for ranking points and 50, 000 dollars prize money in the men and women’s events. The finals of the first leg will hold on Saturday, 15 October.

McIlroy joins Tiger Woods for Turkish Airlines Open Emmanuel Tobi

W

orld top golfers, Rory McLLroy and Tiger Woods have been confirmed for the Turkish Airlines World Golf Tour billed for November 3 to 6 in Antalya/ Belek, alongside other 76 players

battling it out for the $7 million prize money. Having won the Tour Championship to finish at the top of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup standings, McIlroy travels to Turkey looking to boost his attempt to emulate Henrik Stenson and be-

Murray clinches China Open title

A

Murray

ndy Mur ray has clinched his first ever China Open title with a straight-sets victory over Grigor Dimitrov in the final in Beijing on Sunday. The world number two continued his record of not having dropped a single set in the tournament, overcoming Dimitrov 6-4 7-6[2] to continue his fine form. Murray, seeded first due to the in-

jury withdrawal of Novak Djokovic, got off to a perfect start in the final when he broke Dimitrov in the very first game, and that was all that was needed for the Scot to clinch the opening set. Dimitrov created just one break point throughout the duration of the opener, and there weren't many signs of him troubling Murray too much against serve in the second set too.

come just the second man in history to win both the FedEx Cup and the European Tour’s Race to Dubai in the same year. McIlroy said: “I’ve really enjoyed my previous trips to Turkey and can’t wait to get back there. I expected more from my first outing in 2012 but enjoyed a better showing in last year’s event with a share of 6th place. “Turkish Airlines Open in Antalya/Belek has already established itself as a key week in the golfing calendar and one I know all the guys really look forward to.” IlkerAycı, Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines said: “Following the confirmation of Tiger Wood’s attendance, we are thrilled to be welcoming Rory McIlroy to the Turkish Airlines Open in Antalya/Belek for the third time.” According to Turkish Golf Federation president Ahmet Agaoglu, “Our announcement about Tiger made a real statement and Rory confirming he will also be playing has added even more weight to the tournament.

Iheanacho (left)

Nigerian wonder reception

T

he reception at the airport in Ndola was very nice. Some Nigerian youths and families were at the airport singing "come and see Nigerian wonder" We never saw that coming as the players waved and took photographs with the fans. Alex Iwobi was the most friendly as he also signed autographs with the fans with banner welcoming the team. They all had small Nigerian flags they were waving as they sang.

Dollar is one to 10 Kwacha

T

he currency here is very strong. They spend Kwacha and the rate is 10 to one dollar. Nigerians were amazed when they realised that the almighty American dollar will not take you far in Zambia. 10 dollars will give you 100 Kwacha and 100 dollars is only 1,000 Kwacha. A dollar in Nigeria is now close to N500 while 100 dollars is close to N50,000. God help our country.

Amazing SA statistics

A

part from the friendly nature of Zambians generally, one other thing I noticed from the airport was the shape of their women. They have hips and the curve in their back side is amazing. It reminds one of the 'defenders' of the average South African lady. Big hips, super and provocative curve...wow. Hope you understand what I mean by defenders? It is implied clearly I guess...


46

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria turning Paralympic athletes to beggars —Are The coach of Nigeria’s power-lifting team to the Rio Paralympics, Are Feyisetan, in this interview with New Telegraph’s EMMANUEL TOBI and IKENNA AMADI, speaks on the controversy surrounding Yakubu Adesokan’s disqualification in Brazil

Congratulation on your success at the Rio Paralympics, how would you describe the experience? It was a great one because we really worked hard for it. I am very happy with the performance of the athletes which is good for Nigeria, because in 2012, we were the world number one and yet we still retained that position. It is good for us. It wasn’t a bad one because most of the athletes we used for this event were new. At first, I thought we were not going to get to this level, but we tried and did very well. It was very good outing for the power lifters. What is the difference between the Rio 2016 and London 2012 teams? London 2012 wasn’t all that easy, it was very difficult and because we went with very experienced athletes who were close to their retirement. At Rio, we had young and new athletes like Paul Kehinde, Roland Ezuike. We have never had it good like this because it is only Yakubu Adesokan that normally gave us the gold from the male team. In the female category, we used to have Grace Anozie, Lovelyn Obigie, and Victoria but this time, we had new athletes like Ndidi Nwosu, Precious Orji while in 2012, we had only Esther Onyema, who is the current record holder and Lucy Ejike. I think it is a good outing despite the fact that there were new athletes. Can you shed more light on the controversy over Yakubu Adesokan’s disqualification in Brazil? What happened to Yakubu was unfortunate. I was with him a night before his event but left to check the other athlete that would be competing the second day, so that I could know his strength. It is very important to note that you cannot judge an athlete with just four or five days training, I needed to know what the athlete lifted in his last practice to determine what to give to him when we get there. It was very unfortunate that he forgot his bag at home, and I was also looking for him. But when we got to the hostel, we saw the bag and we saw Yakubu 30 minutes later. On getting to the competition venue, they could not weigh him

because he was late to the venue and the competition was about to start. That was what happened and we’re sorry for the embarrassment. So why did the Sports Ministry fine and blame you for the error? Sometimes in Nigeria, even though you have been doing well, if you make a mistake, everyone will start criticising you. I want them to know that as a coach, I will not wilfully allow my athletes to lose. I will never want such to happen to my athletes. Adesokan is very dear to me, and I wanted a gold medal for him. Only God knows best. How much does it cost to train these athletes? It is not easy to train and manage athletes and the cost is so enormous. From the beginning, you buy them water, food and take care Quadri of them. You even drop them to their houses. Some of them might not come to the stadium for like two weeks, then you

Are

If I am given N5 million as a reward, we will re-invest into training and youth development to prepare for another Paralympics in four years

start looking for them and give them money to encourage them. When they do well, I take them to various states where they represent them in various competitions. For a two-year programme, we spend close to N2million because they are special athletes with special needs. At the end of the day, they can graduate and become national athletes. If I am given N5million as a reward, we will re-invest into training and youth development to prepare for another Paralympics in four years. We train every day, and I have to fuel my car to take me from Ikorodu to the National Stadium in Surulere Lagos. I will eat, take care of my family. Most of us are bread winners of our families. I have to pay school fees like everybody else with two kids in secondary school and one in primary. How do you feel not being given any national awards despite winning many medals for the country? When it gets to reward system in Nigeria, it is only the athletes that are recognized while the coaches are neglected. This is not good, I think everything they want to do they must include the coaches and athletes. When we came back in 2012, the athletes were given honours while the coaches were neglected. In 2010, they were also given honours. They

were awarded with Members of the Order of Nigeria (MON) but nobody recognized the engine room, the coaches. Most of the times, the athletes would make jest of us. It is a shame that we have a bad system in Nigeria. The athletes that have spent two to four years as professionals are rated highly than we the coaches that have been around for 25-30 years. How long have you been involved in sports? Power lifting has been in existence for 29 years now in Nigeria and I have been on ground since inception. We formed the disabled sports association and my only consolation is that I am happy to be part of something yielding success in Nigeria. I came into coaching after I failed to win medal at the 1996 Paralympic Games where I placed fourth. It was a great disappointment for me because I could have won the gold but due to an injury I sustained at the competition. My first lift placed me in first position but I could not sustain the momentum. That inspired me into taking the challenge because I said to myself, ‘If I can’t win gold as an athlete, I must produce athletes that will win gold medals as a coach’. I decided to be a coach since 1997 and I have worked with Kano, Edo and some other states. I have produced several Paralympics gold medallists in Grace Anozie, Paul Kehinde, Blessing Omolayo and so on. What is your take on House of Representatives’ donation to the team? I want to sincerely appreciate members of the House of Representatives especially Mrs Ayo Omidiran for moving the motion. She is my person from Osun State and I know what she has done for us in the past. Her passion for sports cannot be quantified. T h e House memb e r s are great inspiration to us. Did you get your family support when you embraced the sp ort? It wasn’t too easy, all they said was that I must go to school but at the end of the day, they gave me all the support and I thank God for the kind of woman I married. She has been supportive all through. She is everything to me. I also appreciate all the journalContinued on Page 47


MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SPORT INTERVIEW

SPORT

47

Pat Ekeji’s Corner patrick.ekeji@yahoo.com 08159364282 (sms only)

The Flying antelope resurrects

I

Yakubu Adesokan

'Disabled are better in bed than normal people' C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 6

ists at the National Stadium, Lagos. They have tried for me so much in terms of support by writing about our plights. My children are proud of what I do and are always happy to see me on television or read my interviews in newspapers. I am also the founder of Amputee Football Association which I brought in to Nigeria on my own. Will you encourage your kids to take up sports? Yes, I tell them to go to school because if you look at our society today, people leading us are graduates. So I ask them to go to school. They love sport and I encourage them. More especially, the last boy, he loves football and he is not seven yet. The two sisters love basketball. They were at the stadium for the Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Clinic. They play basketball anywhere in the house.

you can never be able again all you need to do is to come out and do the right thing. I implore them to shun begging and avoid people giving them money on the street because you don’t know what the money is about. The little money that I have is what I will use to maintain myself and family maybe till another time. How do you think government should reward our special athletes? Basically, we need jobs that will sustain us monthly. The government put the athletes and coaches on employment with health insurance and other benefits. I believe President Muhammadu Buhari has shown his determination to reward true and hardworking citizens. As special athletes, we all need houses, cars, money etc because Nigeria has turned us into beggars and it is appalling seeing world champions on the streets begging.

Is it true that physically challenged people are not sexually active? It is a lie. I have a good wife that graduated from University of Ibadan and she is an able bodied person and she wouldn’t joke with me when it comes to man and woman relationship. Disabled people are the best as what we lack physically; we are compensated in other areas. What is your message to parents who have special children? They shouldn’t hide their children. Even myself, I grew up in Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, Lagos with my father telling me to stay at home so nothing bad would befall me. It is only God that protects. As a disable person,

Are sss

t was the only MOMENT in the sports of the ’70s. It was a MOVEMENT and for the players themselves, each was a domain of grace in the heart of any Igbo person or group. As it was, the players could get away with ‘blue murder’ and who dared complain? Rangers was the toast of the people and cynosure of the Igbo Race. Support for Rangers was a benevolent cult movement or how else could it be defined? A flying antelope is the predominant symbol of the mark of Enugu Rangers. Unarguably the most popular football club that emerged from the ruins of the South East after the civil war in 1970.Each time Rangers stepped into the arena in that immaculate white or, on very seldom occasions, a combination of Red and white attire, spectators and die-hard fans in an over-filled Enugu Stadium, would go berserk. This was better experienced. I was in the thick of it all because at this time too, I became the most “hated” footballer that lived in Enugu. My signing and appearing for P&T Vasco Dagama of Enugu, the prominent rival club in the state at the time, and the solid challenge I posed to the apparently invincible Rangers in the four matches the two clubs had within 1973/74 and 1974/75 seasons, made each game a classic local derby, the type cherished by gamblers or socalled ‘book-makers’. Rangers' Supporters “hated” my guts so much that for many, I was better “dead”. But that would turn out to be the catalyst for my trajectory in the game. Exploits of the Rangers FC in the annals of Nigerian football are well documented but it is the unwritten side of the story that is the focus today. In 1970, Sir Jerry Enyiazu, MBE, was appointed Director of Sports by Dr Ukpabi Asika, then Administrator of the East Central State. Jerry, as he was popularly called, came up with the concept of using the ‘beautiful game’ as a tool for re-affirming the pride of place for the Igbos following the outcome of the Nigeria civil war. Football would be useful. He founded the Rangers Football Club of Enugu as a department of the East Central State Sports Council over which he superintended. In 1971,Rangers announced its presence in Nigeria football with a bang by first smashing all comers to the final match of the Challenge Cup, which she eventually lost to IICC by a slim 1-0. Nigeria took note. Names such as; Godwin Achebe,(who would eventually Captain the Green Eagles to win the football Gold at the 2nd All Africa games in Lagos), Mathias Obianika, Nwabueze Nwankwo, Dominic Nwobodo(Alhaji), Cyril Okosieme, Ogidi Ibeabuchi, Emeka Oyedika, etc, shot into lime-

light instantly and so did that of coach Dan Anyiam, the pioneer coach of Rangers. Many Nigerians on the other side of the divide, whilst still wondering at this phenomenon, quietly admired the courage and goal-oriented physical style of play of these conquerors from Enugu. These Igbos again? Here is how I captured Rangers in my book, ODYSSEY OF A GREEN EAGLE, “… In 1971 Rangers won the East Central State Challenge Cup and was runner-up in the Challenge Cup having lost to Shooting Stars of Ibadan. Rangers was not just the club of the moment, it represented the Igbo spirit and more importantly it was a rallying point for us Igbos. The victories of Rangers retur ned our pride and a feeling of non-ar med conquest. Indeed every Igbo person, at home and in the Diaspora, rooted for Rangers …” The creation of five States ; Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo from the old East Central State diminished the strength of Rangers in many ways and of course it affected its followership. Today, each component has its own ‘Rangers’ in different names. Nonetheless, the spirit and nostalgia still lingers. Her emergence as the winner of the 2015/2016 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) competition evokes some reminiscences. Ex Rangers do communicate and come together as a body, here and abroad, particularly in the USA. Some high end personalities of Igbo extraction have, at one time or the other, showed concrete support for the association.

SNIPETS I saw clips of the last Premier league match at Enugu on Saturday, October 1. I was quite pleased with the turn out, reminiscent of the ‘70s.I guess the NFF and the LMC in particular, are pleased with that too. Two reasons were responsible for that; the expectations of the home supporters at the possibility of becoming champions again after a 32-year league honor drought; the resurgence of the Rangers’ support spirit, boosted with the presence of the Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Rangers is the ‘last man standing’ from the old brigade of football clubs, it adds flavor to the league. I challenged the LMC to think outside the box and evolve a strategy that can bring back spectators to the stadium. To the management of Rangers, thanks for listening to Chris Chukwu, MFR, that Coach Imama Amapakabo (erstwhile assistant) continue from where Kelechi Emeteole left. Chris is an invaluable asset to Rangers.


On Marble

World Record

Sanctity of Truth

It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings.

The longest hug lasted 24 hr 33 min and was achieved by Ron O’Neil and Theresa Kerr (both Canada) at Centennail Beach in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, from 12 to 13 June 2010.

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

– Ann Landers

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016

N150

Public arena T he column you write

Our economy is broken

Atiku Abubakar

L

et me start by commending the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers for its patriotism in using the opportunity of this investiture ceremony to plan a discussion on the Nigerian economy. I thank you for inviting me to be part of it. And I congratulate Mr. Oluwaseyi Emmanuel Abe on his election as the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of this Institute and his investiture today. I wish him and the Institute enormous success during his tenure. The theme of this gathering, “Growth: The Only Nigerian Imperative,” is a very important one. We can debate whether growth is the only imperative for us or how to achieve that growth. However, the message conveyed by that theme is clear at this moment in Nigeria’s evolution. Of course, it will be up to the Guest Speaker to give the theme the treatment that he deems fit. Let me, however, use my privilege as co-chair of this event to say a few words about our economy and some of what needs to be done to get it growing again and creating jobs and wealth for our people in a sustainable manner. I will go straight to the point: our economy is broken, and if we wait for the oil price to rebound or for crude exports to bounce back or for oil receipts to recover, we may wait for very long and may not be able to fix it. I say this because our constant complaints about the oil price, pipeline vandals and lack of funds tend to divert and distract us from the real challenges we are facing. To me, our economy is broken because our economic model doesn’t work, and to fix it we need the resolve to restructure our government finances so that we politicians have a real incentive to create a more conducive business environment. Yes, the current market environment hurts us. Yes, the collapse of crude exports is causing immense hardship and we need new drivers of growth and additional sources of export earnings. Yes, the irresponsible raiding of the Excess Crude Account and the siphoning of money that should have gone to the Federation Account are awfully bad. And yes, the massive corruption at the highest levels that have recently been revealed are important blows to the economy and society. However, our biggest problem is our addiction to oil revenues; the belief that we are doomed unless oil flows and oil money fills the Federation Account for our tiers of government to share. Another related, and flawed, belief is that the federal government alone is the only force, the know-all, be all, and do all that would direct and bankroll the diver-

Our biggest problem is our addiction to oil revenues

Atiku

Minister of Trade, Okey Enelamah

sification of our economy. And we have convinced ourselves, again wrongly, that the only reason that the federal government is unable to spend money to do all we expect it to do is that the money has been stolen. We must erase that mindset in order for us to begin to climb out of our current depths. Of course government can use oil receipts to improve the lives and livelihoods of our people, to fix our horrible roads, crumbling schools, ramshackle hospitals and to pay its numerous, but hardly busy, workers. However, oil money is not a requirement for diversifying our economy. Rather we need federal government officials who are willing to step back and carefully work out how they can empower the private sector to grow the economy and create jobs. And I don’t mean selecting a few companies deemed worthy of government support. No, we need radical reforms that streamline our bureaucracy and eliminate rules and regulations that stifle innovation. We also need robust management processes that ensure that public money buys us better infrastructure, education outcomes and healthcare. And above all else, we need to understand that our most valuable resource is not our oil; it is our people. All of our people. The good news is that most Nigerians have forgotten about the oil money and moved on with their lives. The bad news that our governments and political leaders don’t seem to have noticed that shift. A few numbers will illustrate this. When we were still under military rule, through the 1980s and 1990s, oil and gas accounted for roughly one third of our GDP. When I joined the government in 1999, oil and gas accounted for 29 per cent, though at the time - remember that was before the rebasing - we thought oil and gas accounted for almost half of our economic output. But by 2007 the oil and gas share of GDP had already dropped below 20 per cent and by 2015 it had fallen to less than 10 per cent. So while petroleum production levels stayed flat, our people have made all the difference. But don’t get me wrong: oil revenues

have helped. In addition to infrastructure, oil revenues support professional service firms, real estate, the arts and so on. So the indirect effects of the petroleum sector are bigger thanthe headline figures suggest. But this doesn’t change the fact that due to the ingenuity and hard work of the men and women who looked beyond oil, our economy is much more diversified than we usually acknowledge. In 1980 agriculture contributed 15 per cent of our GDP but by 2015 the figure rose to one quarter. Services which were almost non-existent in the data now add more than one third to domestic output. Even our manufacturing, despite all odds, increased its share from 6.5 per cent of GDP in 1999 to almost 10 per cent, quadrupling its value in real terms and moving on par with oil and gas production. Unfortunately the move away from oil hasn’t reached all parts of our economy. As you know, our non-oil exports are nowhere near where they ought to be to balance our non-oil imports. But what worries me much more is that even though oil receipts have dropped from a long term average of about 70 per cent of Federal Government revenue to about 50 per cent in the first half of 2016, non-oil receipts are also falling - fast. Between January and June, the federal government collected 1.2 trillion naira in VAT, corporate taxes, customs and excise duties, and various other levies - 13% (or N150 billion) less than it collected over the same period in 2015. Corporate income taxes dropped by 40 per cent over the past two years. In short, whereas our economy diversified because our non-oil activities took off, the oil share of revenue dropped because our oil revenues have nose-dived, not because the government found new revenue streams. This worries me because I think one of the main reasons why we are suffering, the reason why we are so vulnerable to swings in the oil price, and one of the reasons why we can be held hostage by those willing to blow up export pipelines is that unlike our private sector, our governments have not really embraced diversification. And this at a time when major oil consumers are

making massive investments in alternative and renewable energy. And it has huge implications. The fact that our government literally runs on oil means that we cannot rely on public spending to mitigate the impact of oil slumps in the commodities cycle. Unless we don’t mind going back into a debt trap. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria, in the second quarter of 2016 the Federal Government collected less than half what it expected. It also spent 13 per cent more than it had planned. Consequently in just three months 1.1 trillion naira shortfall was created as well as roughly 700 billion naira primary deficit, about the amount the federal government budgeted for the entire fiscal year. In the same second quarter of 2016 the Federal Government’s interest payments already exceeded its Federation Account allocations, and debt servicing absorbed almost 60 per cent of retained revenue. In fact, 57 out of every 100 naira the federal government received went straight to its creditors. As you can see, that doesn’t give us a lot of room to maneuver. And it is the reason why government’s efforts to get us out of the current difficulties should proceed in a manner that targets infrastructure improvements, public education, public health and, above all, reforms that remove obstacles to our people unleashing their creative and productive energies to set up and run businesses and create jobs and wealth in the process. Investors have noticed our predicament. Foreign investment has nearly dried up. In the first half of 2016 the total amount of capital brought into Nigeria was less than $1.4 billion compared to $5.3 billion in the first half of 2015. Direct investment has fallen by half, portfolio investment is down by 87 per cent and our capital and financial accounts are deep in the red. A number of long established foreign businesses announced they were planning to leave and many of those that decided to stay are cutting costs and trimming their payrolls to balance their books. Some respected Nigerian companies are folding up as well. • Atiku was Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007.

HIGH CHIEF

PROBE MY CHILDREN IF CORRUPT, BUHARI TELLS EFCC

- Good talk. But who will bell the cat?

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotlines: (Lagos 0902 928 1425), (Abuja 0805 5118488) Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: AYODELE OJO.


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.